There are many things in life that we take for granted and don’t really pay much attention to until something bad happens. Car accidents is one such thing, and it’s surprising how little thought goes in to how to prevent an accident. The attitude of ‘it won’t happen to me’ is still prevalent and it’s only once it has happened that we might wish we had done things differently or listened to someone who knew better. While accidents are part and parcel of driving and with all best intentions we drive as safe as possible, things outside of our control can still happen and perhaps leaves us with a totaled car and injuries to boot.
So the purpose of this article is to show ways to prevent an accident and highlight areas in which you can better prepare yourself when driving and reduce the effects of any potential accident.
Distractions
This is quite obvious, yet it is still a cause of many accidents and that is distracted driving. While the safety standards of the cars we drive are significantly greater than years gone by so are distractions, whether it the be radio, more complex vehicle controls and of course, one of the biggest distractions, our phones. Even using hands free functions, while safer, still impact on a person’s ability to concentrate totally on the road.
The simple solution to distractions is to ignore them. Focus on the road ahead.
Tiredness and Alcohol
Alcohol still accounts for many accidents. While there are limits on what you can legally drink, the best advice is not to drink and drive at all. If you are tired, pull over and take a rest for a while. Ensure you have sufficient rest before even embarking on a trip.
Road Conditions and Weather
Always observe the speed limit, it’s there for a reason. Moreover, observe road conditions and if it’s raining or slippery, slow down accordingly. It’s better to arrive late than not at all.
Maintenance
Prevention is better than cure. You should always keep your car regularly maintained and ensure proper tread on your tires. If your vehicle is recalled by the manufacturer, heed the advice and take it back and get it fixed.
Of course, the basics you should always do, ensure your head rest is properly adjusted so that it supports your head if an accident occurs, and you should always wear seatbelts, that really should not even have to be mentioned.
All the above are in your control and in your power to apply in ways to prevent an accident. Just following these basic but simple steps will dramatically decrease the possibility of an accident. And preventing an accident is obviously better than having to deal with the aftermath of one, such as insurance claims on your car, dealing with injuries and the obvious impact it might have on your personal and working life.
However, if you have been involved in an accident, we are here to help. While obvious injuries such as broken bones and the like will be taken care of at hospital or your doctor, the unseen soft tissue injuries caused by whiplash often go ignored and in the long run, can be the source of many on going problems. We are able to help with whiplash injuries and also help document any injuries you have for insurance claims.
Check out our sister site on accident injuries for more information and if you need help now, walk in and we will help you. You can also call us 360-951-4504 or make a booking online as well. We are here to help.
