How to Minimize the Odds of an Auto Collision

Sometimes, a traffic collision is unavoidable. The truth is that sometimes another motorist will be so careless – or road conditions will be so poor – that an auto accident will find us, no matter how cautious we may be.

However, there are many other situations where an auto accident is entirely avoidable.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of collisions – and what you can do to minimize the odds of being victimized by them.

Serious Accidents Remain an Epidemic

It’s estimated that more than 3,000 people are killed every day in auto collisions. The number of people who suffer a significant injury related to an auto accident each year is in the tens of millions, worldwide.

Some of the most common scenarios that lead to these serious collisions include the following:

Distracted Driving

Everyone wants to look at their phone instantly to see their latest text or social media notification. However, failing to exercise patience and checking a phone while driving is all too often deadly. Federal data shows more than 3,000 people die in the US each year from distracted driving.

Your reaction time if you take your eyes off the road for even one second plummets considerably. Anything that distracts you in the car – your phone, the radio, another person, your own thoughts – should be ignored to ensure you and everyone else stays safe.

Some steps you can take to avoid distracted driving include turning your phone off while you drive, installing a hands-free GPS navigation system to replace your smartphone maps application or even download an app that prevents your phone from texting while the car is in motion.

Speeding

People are in a hurry – and the pandemic has exacerbated our tendency to speed. Even though traffic density declined in 2020, accident rates climbed, in part because people felt free to speed on emptier roads.

The truth is that speeding is one of the most common causes of serious collisions. Even traveling five miles-per-hour over the limit can affect things like reaction time and how your vehicle handles.

Intoxicated Driving

If you’re thinking about drunk or “buzzed” driving, don’t do it. More than 30% of all fatal accidents involve an intoxicated driver, according to the CDC.

Even if you escape serious injury and death, the legal penalties for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated can be significant. Depending on the severity of the case, a DWI may sometimes result in the suspension of a license or a requirement to install a breath monitoring ignition device.

Tailgating

You may dimly recall a rule from driver’s education that said you should always travel three seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you, or four seconds behind on the highway. While maintaining this space is crucial for avoiding rear end collisions, too many of us ignore it.

This issue becomes increasingly risky when people are tailgating intentionally because they feel the car in front is traveling too slow. This situation can quickly spiral into road rage or cause a collision in the event of an unforeseen traffic slow down.

Finding the Right Auto Collision Attorney

If you’ve followed the advice above and have still been victimized by another driver’s negligence, it’s time to give an attorney a call. The right attorney will be a specialist in auto accident cases, with the experience to handle the most complex litigation.