7 Ways to Help Prevent Car Accidents

If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s essential to call on the assistance of an experienced and compassionate personal injury attorney in Denver. These legal pros can help you understand your rights (even if you think you were partially at fault in the crash) and explore your options from a legal perspective. If available, they may even be able to help you receive fair and full financial compensation for your injuries.  

But of course, no one ever hopes to be in an auto accident in the first place. That’s why it’s important to always stay focused on the road at all times and be aware of safe driving habits. There are many ways that we can all do our part to prevent car accident injuries. Because even if you’re just driving down the block, there’s always the potential for an injury. Even the safest drivers can’t know the habits of other drivers at all times. So let’s get started on this right now. Here, we’re taking a closer look into some important ways that you can help prevent car accidents. Whether on a mountain road or a busy highway, it’s important we all do our parts to keep our roads safer for everyone. 

7 Ways to Help Prevent Car Accidents

There are many ways that you (each time you get behind the wheel) can work to prevent car accidents. Let’s explore some of the most effective here:

1. Stay focused on the road: while this one may seem obvious, distracted driving is one of the most common causes of auto accidents in the US. Distracted driving can take many different shapes and forms, including eating while driving, fiddling with the radio, using a cell phone, or simply daydreaming. When driving, always keep your full attention on the road. This will allow you to quickly and effectively respond to someone making a lane change or suddenly stopping.

2. Don’t speed: we have posted speed limits on roads for a reason. When you surpass these limits, you leave yourself with less time and space to respond to changing road conditions. You’d be amazed at how much space on the road it takes to stop a moving vehicle going 60 mph. Here’s the answer: roughly 120 to 140 feet! This is a perfect recipe for a car crash. Always respect the posted limits—even if you’re in a hurry. It’s never worth the risk of getting in a car crash just to try to make up for some lost time on the road.

3. Never drive under the influence: alcohol and drugs can dramatically impair your ability to safely drive a vehicle. Even if you feel fine after just a drink or two, your senses have been slowed and your ability to think critically and quickly has been affected. Never take the risk to drive under the influence. There’s always a better option to find your way home. Not only do you run the risk of getting involved in a car accident, where you could significantly hurt yourself or someone else, but you also run the risk of receiving a DUI that can be very costly in more ways than one.

4. Keep up with regular car maintenance: while no one loves visiting the mechanic for a repair, this bill will cost far less than being involved in an auto accident. It’s important to keep up with your regular maintenance and repairs to ensure that your vehicle operates as it should. If your check engine light has been on for a while, you should plan a visit to your local transmission repair shop to prevent your car from stalling. A blown tire or broken taillight can also increase your risk of being in a crash. Keeping up with regular maintenance can keep your car on the road longer and save you quite a bit of cash down the road.

5. Remain cautious at intersections: road intersections are some of the most common places for crashes to occur. Always remain vigilant and even a little extra cautious when coming to a stop or passing through an intersection. It’s also important to stay aware of pedestrians or bicyclists who sometimes may not come to a full stop at an intersection.

6. Drive appropriately for the weather: depending on where you live, you may experience poor weather conditions that can increase your risk of an accident. If it’s raining heavily, snowing, or even just high winds, you may want to see if you can find an alternative for driving in that weather. Of course, this isn’t always an option for everyone. If you do have to drive in poor weather, be extra cautious on the road. Keep at a lower speed and be sure to park earlier than you may have in normal weather. Even driving at night can increase your risk of an accident.

7. Backing up from a parking spot: car accidents can even occur in a parking lot. This most frequently occurs when someone is backing out of a parking spot as it can be practically impossible to see oncoming traffic when parked between two other cars. Haven’t you ever been parked next to those massive Ford F-350s? A preventative way to reduce the risk here is to have a back-up camera installed in your car. Or, of course, you can also park backwards into the spot so you can see traffic when you’re pulling out. Some drivers simply opt not to worry about this problem at all and will you choose to park at the back of a lot away from other cars. 

Conclusion – 7 Ways to Help Prevent Car Accidents

Car accidents can be costly, force you to invest in significant repairs (or wreck your vehicle), and lead to significant injuries or even prove fatal. It’s up to all of us to do what we can to keep our roads safer out there. Following these tips can make you a safer, smarter driver, and ensure that you’re doing your part to improve the safety of our roads.