As a driver, you will constantly be exposed to some level of risk when using the roads, as anyone can be involved in a road accident, even those who follow the road rules and drive the safest car models on the market. And finding yourself the victim of a car accident is often devastating as you could be left with severe and life-altering injuries, not to mention the costs of repairing your vehicle and overcoming a massive income loss.
Suppose you have been involved in an accident; Lamber Goodnow injury lawyers can help you recover all your damages. With that said, there are specific factors the enhance your chances of being involved in a road accident, and many of these are preventable factors.
Driving A Vehicle That Has Problems Starting
There can be several issues behind a car that often struggles to start, and these reasons can range from a dead battery, problems with the starter motor, and even alternator issues, among others. While fixing some of these issues can be costly, driving a vehicle that has problems starting will heighten your risk on the roads. Suppose your car stall while crossing an intersection; another driver may not be as vigilant as they should be in that moment, leading to a traumatizing collision as you sit idly in your vehicle, struggling to get it started.
In other instances, you could be stuck on the roadside battling to get your car going when a passing driver cannot see your vehicle, leading to a collision. There are also several other situations in which a standing car can be a significant road hazard. So if your car has problems starting, you should invest in repairs or consider purchasing a new vehicle.
Driving A Vehicle That Is Not Roadworthy
When driving a car that has not passed a roadworthy test, you will heighten your risk as a driver on the road and put the lives of other road users at risk as well. Cars that are not roadworthy could have brake system issues, indicators that don’t work, or steering system issues. All of these vehicle issues are major, even though some can be pretty cheap to fix.
Even if your indicator lights are not working, you can cause an accident as other drivers won’t be able to predict your turns, leading to collisions. It is essential to drive a roadworthy can and keep up to date with all the maintenance to ensure you aren’t a risk on the roads.
Speeding
Speeding when driving is a leading cause of road accidents worldwide, and the risk can be effectively mitigated if all drivers followed the speed limits. Even if you are late for something important, you should always follow the recommended speed limit and consider driving below the speed limit in suburban areas and around schools where children may be crossing roads.
Speeding reduces your ability to be a vigilant driver, as you won’t be able to see sudden obstacles as you would when traveling at the recommended speed limit. Even something as common as a pothole in the road can be an extreme danger to speeding drivers, as you won’t be able to avoid the pothole, and the impact can ruin your car and cause you significant injuries at the same time.
Bad Weather Conditions
Lousy weather conditions enhance the risks for all drivers. Not only is your reaction time slowed down significantly when traveling in a storm and other kinds of bad weather, but the roads also become significantly more slippery. So even if you have new tires and an advanced driving license, your risk still enhances when driving in bad weather.
Instead of taking the chance, you should always avoid driving in bad weather. Perhaps you can leave to your destination later while waiting for the storm to pass or pull over at a safe parking space until the weather clears up a bit. Taking the risk isn’t worth it as you will be putting your own life in danger by assuming you can manage your vehicle in terrible weather conditions.
Driving Under The Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is another leading cause of road collisions worldwide. Unfortunately, drunk drivers do not have suitable reaction times and cannot maneuver vehicles as they should. At the same time, driving under the influence of drugs is not a term secluded to illegal drug substances, as most would assume. Unfortunately, even some over-the-counter medications can hinder your ability to operate your vehicle.
So if you are taking any medications, even those that don’t require a prescription, you should always check the package insert to ensure the medication is safe to use when driving. Instead of assuming a low-schedule sinus or headache tablet won’t hinder your driving ability that much, you should consider your own safety and that of every other road user, as you don’t want to be responsible for the potentially fatal injuries of anyone else when driving.
Reducing Your Risk As A Driver
Being a safe driver on the roads requires you to consider various essential factors. The condition of your vehicle is exceptionally vital in reducing your risk as a driver while avoiding bad weather, and driving under the influence is just as important. You should always follow the speed limits, even when you are in a rush; it is better to be late for work or that important meeting than not to arrive at all.
Unfortunately, even when taking all the necessary measures to reduce your risk, you can still be involved in an accident. In this case, you should know how to handle the situation at the scene to file an injury claim with the assistance of an expert injury lawyer.
If you are not responsible for the accident, you will be able to recover your damages from your insurer or the responsible driver. On the other hand, if you are responsible for the accident, you will still need legal representation while you may not be able to claim for any of your damages.
