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The Best Ways To Avoid A Car Accident
With so many cars on the road in California, it might seem impossible to avoid ever being in a car accident. It is true that you cannot control other drivers. You can, however, choose to implement safer driving habits to help reduce the risk of an accident in your own vehicle.
You might not even be aware of your driving behaviors that increase your risk of being seriously injured or even killed in an auto accident. If you or a loved one is injured in a car crash, reach out to our car accident lawyers at Arash Law to understand your legal options and help protect your rights. In the meantime, learn more about how you can reduce the risk of causing a car crash:
Understand Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become a major public health concern in recent years. NHTSA reports that in 2022, thousands were killed by distracted drivers in the United States. Every year, there are thousands of fatalities and injuries caused by distracted drivers.
So what, exactly, is distracted driving? The main focus of recent public awareness campaigns has been texting and driving. This is a dangerous behavior that has become an epidemic in recent years, as texting has become a widespread and popular form of communication.
But texting is not the only way that your mobile phone can distract you. Many drivers use their phone’s GPS function to give them turn-by-turn directions.
You might also get calls or emails that take your attention away from the road. Some drivers even check social media apps. All of these activities can divert your attention from where it belongs, which is the traffic around you.
Of course, phones are not the only mobile devices that can distract a driver. Your laptop or tablet can also give alerts. You might have a smartwatch that distracts you with constant alerts from your phone, or the vehicle itself could be connected to the phone via Bluetooth.
The vehicle might also have built-in GPS or entertainment systems. All of these devices and programs can distract drivers from the road. It is important to turn off as many alerts as possible.
Use the “do not disturb while driving” feature on your phone. Store your devices out of reach so you are not tempted to check them. Mute the alerts on your connected devices (such as a smartwatch or your vehicle’s Bluetooth display). Program your destination into your GPS before leaving, so you won’t have to use it while driving.
Taking personal responsibility for not using your devices while driving can help reduce the risk of an accident. Mobile devices have become a widely known source of driver distraction, but drivers also face the same distractions that have always been in their vehicles. You might have pets or children in the car who need your attention. It’s important to prepare and take care of their needs before you start driving.
You might have food or drink in the car. Some drivers who are running late for work apply makeup, brush their teeth, or even shave while they are supposed to be paying attention to the road. Avoid doing any unnecessary tasks while driving. Your focus must always be on the road ahead and the traffic around you.
Identify Your Own Aggressive Driving Habits
California’s heavy traffic, combined with hot and sunny weather, can make driving conditions uncomfortable. This discomfort may cause some drivers to become impatient and aggressive.
To escape the heat, they might start tailgating or changing lanes too quickly. An angry driver might start honking the horn or flashing his headlights to let everyone know he is upset. In some cases, road rage may escalate into physical violence.
Traffic safety reports indicate that road rage can escalate into violent confrontations, sometimes resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Road rage may result in injuries, death, and, in rare or extreme cases, outright murder.
So, how can you help reduce road rage on the streets of California? It is important to be aware of your own aggressive driving habits. Is there a particular road that aggravates you with heavy traffic? Consider changing your route to avoid this area entirely.
Perhaps you are trying to save on gas money by not running your air conditioner when it gets warm. If you become impatient in the heat and cause an accident, you could face financial consequences. Stay physically comfortable so you can remain mentally calm. Making small adjustments to stay comfortable can help you remain calm and focused behind the wheel, which may reduce the risk of accidents and their financial or personal consequences.
Adjust Your Speed For Current Conditions
Like other states, California requires drivers to maintain a speed that is safe for whatever conditions they are facing on the roadway. The California Vehicle Code states that “[n]o person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent.” The speed that is “reasonable and prudent” depends on many factors, including:
- Current weather conditions.
- Your visibility.
- Current traffic conditions.
- The surface conditions of the roadway (including potholes, spills, etc.).
- The width of the roadway (for example, a driver might need to slow down on a narrow turn).
Notice that this statute does not allow drivers to travel at the posted speed limit under any conditions. Sometimes, conditions make it unsafe to go as fast as would be otherwise allowed. It is, therefore, possible to get a speeding ticket even when you are traveling at the posted speed limit.
A speeding ticket is not the only legal consequence you might face. Speed is a factor in many accidents, and it is often the reason that a negligent driver is found to be at fault for causing an accident. For example, you could be found negligent for traveling at the posted speed limit on a foggy day when it is difficult to see the traffic around you.
If your insurance company accepts liability for this accident, you may have to pay increased insurance premiums. You may also face a civil lawsuit, as well as criminal charges of reckless driving for traveling at excessive speed.
Be mindful of the speed you are traveling. If you are driving too fast for the current conditions, slow down. You could help reduce the risk of accidents while on the road.
Be Aware Of The Effects Of Any Medication You Have Taken
Drivers know that they should not drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. However, impaired driving has become a serious problem for other reasons as well. Prescription medications can also impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
Some people abuse prescription medications. The opioid epidemic, for example, has shown us the effects of prescription medications and how easily they can be abused. Even if you are taking medication as directed, it can still impair your ability to drive. Be very aware of how any medications affect your body and mind before you choose to drive.
This problem comes up often when patients take a new medication that they have not used before. If you are starting a new medication, make sure you have a plan to get anywhere you need to be without driving. Ask a friend or family member for a ride.
Call an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service. Check the warning labels on your medication to see if it advises against driving.
Experienced California Car Accident Lawyers Representing Injured Victims
If you are searching online for a “car accident lawyer near me,” our legal team at Arash Law is ready to assist you. Our skilled injury attorneys have decades of experience helping clients pursue compensation for their injuries and losses. Our experienced car accident lawyers serve clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California.
Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here to schedule your free initial consultation. We are committed to assisting clients in pursuing a legal claim against at-fault parties and advocating for their rights.
