Techniques to Reduce Car Accidents from Your Denver Auto Accident Attorney
Car accidents are one of the most common ways that an individual can get injured in modern society. Automobiles come with many inherent risks which makes the activity of traveling in your car or truck something you should not take lightly. Because cars are so prevalent in our world, we often overlook the aspect that they are one of the leading causes of death and permanent injury. As a result, it is incredibly important to practice habits that encourage safety and reduce the possibility of you or your family getting into a serious accident. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips for making your ride safer from your Denver auto accident attorney.
Stay off your Phone
One of the biggest distractions present in modern society is the cell phone. This fact has been accentuated with the rise in smartphone technology, which turns your phone into a mobile computer capable of completing almost any desired tasks. The sight of someone on their cell phone is an unsettling sight, as they are more focused on texting or surfing the web than they are on the road.
Beyond the aspect of texting while driving, simply talking on the phone can be a distraction that can lead to accidents if one is not careful. For this reason, it is important to stay off the phone unless it is urgent to speak with someone. If you absolutely need to talk to someone while driving, opt for the hands-free option and make your phone call as quick and brief as you possibly can.
Drive Defensively
This is one of the biggest things that is taught during drivers education class, but is something that drivers often forget as they become further removed from the classroom. Often, the biggest risk to a driver are other drivers on the road. You may feel supremely confident in your ability to drive safely and without any incident, but if you aren’t aware of the other drivers on the road it can lead to an accident.
Assume that all of the drivers around you are distracted and incompetent in their ability to navigate the roads. Your ability to avoid accidents will be greatly improved by practicing defensive driving, as you will always be on guard for the inevitability that someone driving nearby will make a mistake. Maintain at least a 2 second cushion between you and the car in front of you, and increase this if there is poor weather conditions.
Practice Safety and Plan Ahead
Often times during the course of driving, we need to reach for something, such as our water, directions, or other items that can take our attention off the road. This small moment of distraction can lead to a big problem if the car in front of us stops abruptly, as it can lead to a fender bender. Because of this, it is important to have all of your necessary items in a place that is easily accessible prior to hitting the road. This will eliminate the need to grab for something that is out of reach and reducing a dangerous distraction in the process.
If items fall to the floor, wait until your vehicle comes to a stop before attempting to pick them up. This will greatly reduce your distractedness and will keep your eyes on the road. Prior to driving off, it is also a very good idea to secure all cargo that could move around in your car while you are driving. The last thing you want to have happen is to have your cargo shuffle while driving, which can not only create a distraction but can be hazardous to people in your car and can damage the cargo itself. Reduce this risk by securing your cargo prior to taking off.
Keep your Eyes on the Road and Practice Good Safety Routines
One of the biggest causes of accidents is when a person takes their eyes off the road. This can be caused due to looking at one’s phone or simply getting distracted by something to the side of the road. While the attraction of looking at interesting things going on outside of your car can be alluring, it is certainly not worth the risk that can accompany such a view. Remain attentive to the road ahead and you will dramatically reduce the possibility of accidents.
Another critical component to safe driving is to practice safe routines every time you enter your vehicle. Buckle your seatbelt to reduce the harm of any potential accident. Adjust your seat and mirrors to ensure that your driving experience is optimal. You don’t want to have to adjust your seat or mirrors while you are driving, as this can create an unnecessary hazard to you and others on the road.
It is also important to regularly check certain essential features on your car, such as making sure that your vehicle’s lights are working and that all of your fluids are full prior to hitting the road. Another overlooked component of safe driving practices is to inform individuals of your driving itinerary if you are going on a long trip. Often while driving long distances, you will be in an area that may be out of cell service and in areas that are desolate. In these instances, informing others of your driving plans can be crucial in the unfortunate event that you crash or need emergency services.
It is important to do everything you possibly can to avoid an accident, but sometimes things happen that are out of your control. In these cases, you will want someone to advocate for you every step of the auto injury process. Because of this, it is important to seek out the services of a qualified auto injury attorney that will fight for your rights every step of the way. Mark Simon is someone who will fight tirelessly for your rights and ensure that you receive the highest possible settlement. He will begin the investigation process immediately, ensuring you receive the best representation possible. Contact him to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.