The fear of getting into an accident is always present for any driver, especially if you have read some statistics about Texas’s increasing number of car accidents. Even so, don’t be too afraid of driving because accidents can easily be prevented by simply following driving guidelines and watching your attitude. Most accidents are caused by human error; therefore, you might decrease the chances of getting into an accident if you start with yourself. Here is what you should do.
7 Tips To Stay Safe While Driving
1. Follow The 3 Second Rule
If you are not familiar with the 3-second rule, you might need to reread the manual you had to study for your driving license exam. The 3-second rule means you have to keep a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you; approximately a distance of around 3 seconds. Unfortunately, many accidents on the road occur because drivers don’t keep this rule in mind. If you have ever been in a situation where the driver in front of you stopped abruptly, and you managed to stop on time, congratulations! You are already applying the 3-second rule.
2. Maintain a Positive Attitude while Driving
Although we don’t like to admit this, our attitude while driving is sometimes affected by our mood. How many times did you see a colleague drive aggressively because they had a bad day at work? Probably a lot. Aggressive driving is an issue that many people suffer from. To counter that issue; you have to remember that no matter how bad your day was, you are in control of 3000 pounds of fast-moving metal that could cause a disaster in a split second. If you had a bad day, listen to some music and unwind before starting your trip. That could help improve your mood and prevent aggressive driving.
3. Decrease Your Radio Volume
Ever saw a group of teenagers driving around town with their radio on full blast? That’s what you should avoid. Imagine honking at a driver who has the volume on so loud that they can’t hear you. Will they notice your car? Probably not. Next thing you know, they will be in your lane, preventing you from taking that U-turn you were going for. The radio inside your car can be a massive distraction. Make sure the volume is at an adequate level.
4. Don’t Drive Without Sleep!
Remember that driving is an intensive exercise for your brain. Driving requires you to focus on the road conditions, the drivers around you, your speed, and the GPS. Imagine doing all that while feeling drowsy. That’s a recipe for disaster.
5. Always Check Your Car
Regardless of how confident you are in your driving skills, sometimes an accident occurs because you simply didn’t check your car. Not only does your vehicle require regular check-ups from your trusted mechanic, but it also requires daily check-ups from you. Before you leave, make sure to check your gas level, mirrors, lights, signals, and windshield.
6. Prepare for Emergencies
Emergencies are quite common on the road, and if you drive alone, you have to be prepared for anything. Check the weather before you leave and prepare for the different road conditions. Remember, if you ever have to drive over icy roads, you need to keep an even wider distance between yourself and other cars and drive as slowly as you can. Additionally, in case your car skids on the ice, don’t slam the brakes; instead, remove your leg from the gas pedal and let the car gradually slow down.
7. Wear Your Seatbelt
This is the most important safety rule; however, according to the Texas Department of transportation, 2020 witnessed a 16% increase in injuries caused by not wearing a seatbelt. Seat belts exist to keep you and your passengers safe.
What To Do If An Accident Happens
Even the most cautious drivers can sometimes end up in an accident. You might be able to control yourself and your own car well, but you can never control other drivers. If you somehow find yourself in one of the many Dallas car accidents, there are specific steps you have to follow to ensure your rights are protected and that the person responsible is held accountable.
1. Check For Injuries
Before moving away from your car, check yourself and the other passengers for any visible injuries. Then, ask your passengers a couple of questions to ensure they are lucid and with no internal injuries. You could also move your hands in front of their eyes and ask them to follow it with their eyes; this simple test could help you identify whether they hit their head or not.
2. Collect Information
Once you are sure no one has any serious injuries, move on to collecting information. Write down the contact information, ID numbers, plate numbers, and insurance and registration information of all the vehicles involved in the accident. Don’t forget to take pictures of all the points of impact and street signs around as well.
3. Call the Police
Contact 911 and report the accident with as many details as you can. Additionally, you should call for an ambulance even if no one has any visible injuries; you never know what will happen before they arrive!
4. Create a Police Report
Create a car accident report with the responding officers on the scene. Don’t forget to ask for a copy to send to your lawyer later on.
5. Call Your lawyer
Call your lawyer for legal representation and send them all the data you collected. Your lawyer will then proceed to ask for compensation for any damages you suffered.
Finally, If an insurance adjuster happens to reach the accident site before the police, remember to avoid answering their questions. Moreover, don’t allow them to record you as that could be used against you later on. Remember, their primary job responsibility is to reduce insurance claims payouts.
Now you know all there is about car accidents, how to prevent them and what to do if you happen to end up in one. There is no downside to being careful. Drive safe!