If you’re one of the unlucky people who has recently had to file a personal injury claim because you were in an auto accident, then you might be confused and wondering what you should do next. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone, and you might even consider yourself lucky to still be walking around – in the United States, there are over 37,000 fatalities each year due to hazardous traffic accidents. If you’re hoping yo avoid filing another personal injury claim in the future, and if you want to keep yourself and other drivers on the road safe, then keep reading to learn about the top ways to stay safe on the road.
-
1. Get enough sleep at night.
Driver fatigue can be blamed for at least three in 10 commercial car accidents, so it’s important to never drive if you are tired or don’t feel that you can focus. While some people try to stay awake by drinking coffee and listening to loud music, there really is no substitute for getting a good night of sleep.
2. Don’t talk on the phone. Close to 90% of commercial truck accidents can be linked to some kind of human error, whether it is by the driver, passengers, pedestrians or other people on the road. Perhaps the most distracting thing you can do when you’re behind the wheel is use the phone, because it takes your attention away from what is going on in front of you. Keep in mind that this doesn’t just mean texting – talking on the phone (even hands free) can be distracting because you are thinking about something else. You should also check your local laws to see if it’s illegal to be on your phone while driving, because some states charge big fines if you’re caught by an officer.
3. Always follow the rules of the road. This might seem obvious, but the thing is that sometimes if there’s not a lot of traffic or if you are in a hurry, it might seem like it’s okay to do a rolling stop or turn right on red where it’s prohibited. This is not a good idea, because the laws are set up for a reason. If you’re not supposed to turn right on red, it could be because there’s not good visibility and there’s a high chance of an accident happening.
4. Don’t apply makeup while driving. This is another one that can get you in trouvle if you are late to work or if you think you need a touch-up. Just remember, doing your makeup while driving a car is very dangerous and it’s not worth risking the disastrous consequences that could result!
Remember, always keep in mind that if you do find yourself in an accident, you should call a car accident attorney right away. Auto accident lawyers are skilled at their jobs and will be able to advise you on the best way to proceed with any property or injury damage that may have occurred, and they will be able to guide you if you are required to file a personal injury claim in order to get back what is rightfully yours.