Tragically, car accidents happen every day in the United States and across California. It’s hard to believe that every time we step into our car, there is a risk of injury to ourselves or to others in the vehicle, but the risk is real. It’s important therefore to always be thinking about how we can prevent instances of human error that lead to serious car accidents.
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents, and it’s becoming all the more frequent. The more people that use smartphones, the more temptation there is for distraction.
Apps such as Snapchat have been blamed in the past for encouraging the practice of driving while using a phone. However, it’s ultimately up to the drivers themselves as to whether they choose to put themselves and others into positions of danger.
Weather is another important driving safety factor. Although we cannot control the weather, we can protect ourselves and others by always checking the weather forecast, especially before a long-distance or interstate journey. It’s important to also remember that rain can increase the braking time needed.
Being in a rush also highly increases the chances of being in a car crash. This is mainly because you are more likely to engage in risky activities such as speeding, running red lights, and making wrong turns.
Preventing a car accident is not always possible, because it can be the fault of another driver. If you have been in an accident where you believe another driver was to blame, you should look into your rights and take action to claim compensation for damages.
Source: Huffington Post, “Top 15 causes of car crashes,” Laiza King, Oct. 27, 2017