Hitting the highway today is nothing like it was 30 years ago. Today, speed limits are higher, cars are faster, and there are way more distractions in each vehicle than there ever were. Because of these changes, accidents can be more deadly and frequent. What can you do to keep yourself safe while you're out on those crazy roads? Here, you'll find a few tips that can help protect you while you're driving and tips to help you handle accidents the right way.
Mind Your Speed
You saw that the speed limit posted is just 65, but as you drive 65, cars begin piling up behind you as the passing lane zips by doing at least 80. So, do you push the pedal a little harder so that you can keep up with traffic, or do you maintain the speed limit?
You will be told conflicting things about whether to maintain the speed limit or speed up to keep up with the flow of traffic. While driving the speed limit will keep you from getting a ticket and will allow you more time to react in the event of an obstacle, it may not feel safe at the time. It can be scary to have rows of traffic zipping around you, but you should never speed up just to feel more comfortable with the cars around you.
Think about it this way; if you were in an accident that you caused, do you want to exasperate the situation by speeding? Speeding can be considered reckless driving and could result in criminal charges being filed if you were to hurt someone if you cause an accident.
Eliminate Distractions
If you're one of those people that just can't seem to keep your hands off of your phone while you're driving, put it in your back seat. Driving while fidgeting with anything will increase the chances of an accident happening in which you will be found at fault.
If you're using a GPS device, set it before you get out on the road and don't touch it again until you're safely stopped somewhere.
Handle Accidents Properly
It will be difficult for you to think straight immediately following an accident, no matter how minor or severe. There are a few things that you must remember.
Snap a quick picture of not only the accident scene, but also of the other driver and of anyone standing around that may have witnessed the accident. You will need all of the evidence you can gather to prove that you were not at fault.
Contact a personal or auto injury lawyer, like those at Curiel & Runion, PLC, immediately after the accident if you think there's someone to be held liable for the accident. There's a system in place to protect you from having to foot the bill for medical treatment and financial losses while you recover from an accident caused by someone else's neglect.
Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on what's ahead of you. Hopefully, the tips above will help you avoid accident and help you navigate through the system if a suit must be filed.
Few things are as intimidating as facing a lawsuit, but if you aren't careful, you might end up struggling with legal problems at some point in time. I know that I never expected to be left battling a legal drama, but after I began working with a team of professionals to create a business, I ended up facing some serious issues. I was nervous about what the future would hold, but I didn't want to give up either. I worked with a lawyer to take care of every aspect of the lawsuit, and it was cool to watch things get better. Find out more about this blog by reading these posts.