No one expects to be in an automobile accident, and yet, every year, there are more than six million car accidents in the United States alone. It’s clear, then, that car accidents can happen anywhere at any time to anyone. Therefore, it’s important to understand some of the circumstances that often lead to crashes so that you can work to avoid them. To help you stay safe on the roads, here are some of the most critical errors that cause automobile accidents.
Driving Too Fast
Excessive speed while driving is often a recipe for disaster. In addition to reducing your reaction time, driving too fast can increase the devastation caused during the accident. This danger is amplified when driving on wet or snowy roads, often resulting in crashes that put you and others in danger. Therefore, it’s important to observe and obey the posted speed limits at all times to arrive at your destination in one piece.
Following Too Closely
Another sure way to get in an accident is by following another driver too closely. If the driver in front of you should stop suddenly, your lack of following distance will leave you with almost no reaction time, resulting in a rear-end accident that could be expensive and time-consuming to work through. It’s important to note, though, that sometimes rear-end accidents are caused intentionally by other drivers seeking to commit insurance fraud. If you think you’ve been a victim of this, it’s important to seek out a skilled car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Succumbing to Distractions
There are countless potential distractions in your vehicle at any given time. The problem isn’t that these distractions exist, it’s that they’re so easy to succumb to, which ultimately takes your eyes and focus off of the road. Whether it’s a cell phone, a malfunctioning radio, or a misbehaving child, it’s important to limit your distractions as much as possible so that you can arrive at your destination safely.
Lack of Vehicle Maintenance
If you don’t take care of your car as you should, you could be putting yourself at risk of an accident. For example, if you don’t replace your tires even though they’re bald, you will have a hard time controlling your vehicle on slippery roadways, potentially resulting in an accident. Other commonly neglected maintenance items include brakes, windshield wipers and wiper fluid, and headlight lenses. In order for your vehicle to take care of you, you’ve got to make sure to take care of your vehicle.
Stay Aware
The best way to avoid an accident is to always be aware of your surroundings. You must know what other vehicles are up to and what your vehicle is doing so that you can work with other drivers to ensure everyone arrives home safely. Hopefully, by understanding the common errors listed above, you’ll be able to avoid them the next time you head out on the road.