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Do you ever feel wary when hitting the road, fearful that a car crash will happen because of someone else’s driving? It’s a common feeling for some drivers. The truth is that accident happen, but there are ways that you can be proactive behind the wheel and try to avoid getting involved in a wreck. Here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you stick your keys in the ignition.
Obey the obvious rules of the road:
The easiest way to protect yourself on the road is simply by obeying the law and wearing your seat belt. The same rule applies to everyone in your vehicle. Make it clear that the car doesn’t move until everyone buckles up. A car accident lawyer in Colorado will tell you that any chance of medical expenses or damages to your vehicle being covered by auto insurance or through a lawsuit is rendered null and void if a driver isn’t buckled up.
A car accident claim or personal injury case is also tossed for a driver who is drunk or high at the time of the crash. Drunk driving is illegal and will result in your arrest, which could lead to a litany of fees, as well as litigation against you for your actions. You could even face jail time depending on the jurisdiction where the car accident occurs and the circumstances of the wreck.
Limit your passengers:
The risk of a fatal crash increases with every additional passenger. That’s because each person in the car can be deemed responsible for a distraction for the driver. When you’re a new driver, it is best to limit your number of passengers. If you are carpooling or traveling with a larger party, be sure to lay out guidelines for your passengers to follow. It could be in relation to the volume of the radio or even limits on conversations. A serious car accident can result from a passenger causing disruption, and an insurance company will still view you as the negligent driver, as the occurrence happened while you were behind the wheel.
Train for poor weather conditions:
Slick and icy roads are commonly associated with auto accidents during wintry weather. However, they also result from a failure of understanding how to drive in these weather conditions. While it’s best to avoid driving in bad weather conditions unsupervised, you should wean yourself into it. Keep it simple at first by maybe taking a drive to a local store in the rain. Try to get as much supervised practice driving in poor weather as you can before trying it on your own.
The best approach to these conditions is slow and steady. Don’t feel like you have to step on the gas pedal. For one, a police officer could easily pull you over for speeding. Two, you could end up in a car wreck because of skidding brought on by a sudden slam of the brakes during these particular road conditions.
Look into additional safety equipment:
The technology offered in most vehicles today is actually quite remarkable, including for safety purposes. Rearview cameras allow drivers now to see the road behind them and get alerted to approaching cars. Technology like Subaru EyeSight scans for hidden dangers, adding extra awareness for drivers to avoid vehicle damage or any injuries stemming from a car wreck.
This technology also offers lane-assist warnings to make sure you aren’t missing a vehicle in your blind spot or emerging bicycles or pedestrians. Pre-collision braking and pre-collision throttle management also help to not only prevent a rear-end accident but also reduce the power from the engine to help minimize the possible impact force.
Remember, the safer you are behind the wheel, the more comfortable you’ll feel, and you may also be rewarded for zero car accident claims from your auto insurance company.