Trust Our Experienced Lawyers at Erskine & McMahon LLP
Did you know over 10 million car accidents take place each year? According to the National Safety Council, these incidents aren’t always deadly, but they can be dangerous, costly, and may lead to confusing legal issues. To better prevent these unnecessary incidents from occurring in the first place, Erskine & McMahon LLP encourages all drivers to follow these safety tips to make the roads a safer place.
Be Prepared
Always keep a kit of emergency supplies in your vehicle. In this kit, include tools, a flashlight, reflective triangles, jumper cables, maps, water, dry food, duct tape, cat litter, and a utility knife. While most of these items seem obvious, cat litter can provide traction on icy roads, and water and food can help tide you over until help arrives, if you ever find yourself stranded. Also, each vehicle should always carry a spare tire.
Buckle Up
Using your seat belt is one of the easiest steps you can take to keep yourself safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than half of teens and adults who died in crashes in 2014 were not wearing their seat belts. We encourage you not to contribute to this statistic.
Don’t forget, children under 40 lbs. should always ride in the back seat, and those under 8 years old should be using a booster seat or car seat. Babies should be in a rear-facing car seat for as long as the seat manufacturer advises, or at least until they are 2 years old.
Drive Defensively
Drivers should always be aware of what is going on around them, both on the road and off. Be watchful of brake lights ahead of you, as they signal slower traffic. If someone carelessly pulls out in front of your vehicle, be watchful and ready. Remember to keep at least a 2-second distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, 4 seconds in poor visibility or dangerous road conditions. Failing to leave proper distance between vehicles can lead to multi-vehicle accidents and chain-reaction collisions. If you are involved in an accident with more than two vehicles, contact our car accident attorneys at Erskine & McMahon LLP.
Never Drive While Under the Influence
Do not drink and drive, under any circumstances. These days, it’s easier than ever to call or text a car service, or ask a sober friend to drive. Never get into a car with an intoxicated driver, and do not let friends drink and drive. Plan ahead if you know you will be unable to drive safely. If you are involved in a drunk driving accident, call the police immediately and seek legal help from an attorney you trust.
Getting behind the wheel while sleepy can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. In a survey, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 1 in every 25 adult drivers have admitted to falling asleep while driving in the past 30 days. Always be sure you are well-rested before you get in the driver’s seat and don’t drive while drowsy.
Minimize Distractions
Avoid texting, talking on the phone, reaching for items below seats or behind you, and make sure navigation has been planned before you begin driving. Driving while distracted is one of the biggest causes of car accidents, and is almost always preventable.
Call (903) 500-2490 for Legal Help
Car accidents are all too common, but taking the right precautions will not only help after you’ve been in a crash, they can also help prevent one. In the event that you are in an accident, make sure you have easy access to phone numbers for medical and legal help, immediately. For more information about what to do after a car accident, contact our lawyers, today.
Contact Erskine & McMahon LLP today, and let our car accident attorneys help you.