You have bought a new car and you are ready to spin in style. Congratulations. You have subscribed to the road user’s community. You won’t have a hard time moving from one place to another. You will have the convenience you need as far as getting to your proffered destination is concerned. You won’t be envying your friends anymore. In a nutshell, you are a master of your movements. But wait, there is a monster in-store—car accidents. If you aren’t careful, you might fell a victim of this devastating ordeal. Plus, car accidents can be tragic, costly, and life-threatening. But this shouldn’t scare you from making that dream road trip. So, what are car accidents? How can you prevent them? When should you contact an accident attorney? How do you hire the best accident lawyer? Well, if these are questions you need answering, this article is going to give you explicit answers—helping you understand the whole concept surrounding car accidents. Keep reading.
What’s a Car Accident?
A car accident is an unintended occurrence in a road that can result in injuries, damage, and even inconveniences. Things like acceleration, idling, and tire busts are commonly associated with car accidents.
Who Can Get A Car Accident?
Anybody can fell a victim of a car accident. However, it depends on the situation, attentiveness, and car condition. Thus, it’s good to familiarize yourself with everything to do with car accidents to make things easier.
How Can You Avoid Car Accidents?
You cannot predict car accidents. They occur spontaneously. However, you can take the necessary steps to minimize the chances of car accidents. On these lines, here are things you can do to minimize the occurrence of a car accident.
Good Posture
Want to maintain control of that car of yours? Well, put yourself in the perfect position. This will help you reach the steering wheel as well as petals without many difficulties—especially when doing an evasive maneuver.
Mirror Positioning and Good Vision
When it comes to driving, nothing takes center stage like good vision. So, position the mirrors well. Ensure the side mirrors are properly positioned to give you a perfect vision. Also, work on the rear-view mirror—it’s important since it will help you see the road behind you.
3 O’clock and 9 O’clock Positions
Do you understand the positioning of the hands-on 3 and 9 O’clock? It’s simple. Place the first and second hands on the 3 O’clock and 9 O’clock respectively. Doing this gives you better control—allowing you to make a well-coordinated and quick response in an event of an emergency. Getting caught up—especially during emergencies—with one hand might be devastating. It will make you panic and lose control of the when.
Wear Glasses and Contacts
Vision problems are common. They can make your driving session difficult—especially at night. So, if you have such problems, get good glasses. Ensure they are worn whenever you are on the wheel. The idea is to clearly see the road in addition to the surrounding.
Is Your Car Operating Optimally and Safely?
Always take your car to a mechanic for regular checkups. Things like blown tires, worn-out brakes, and broken windscreen wipers can lead to accidents. So, avoid these deadly situations by maintaining your car regularly.
Traffic Changes Anticipation
Be attentive while on the road—especially when it comes to traffic flow. It will help you foresee any changes. So, watch the flow of traffic from a few yards—it will help you become aware of any changes.
Blind Spots
Vehicles are manufactured differently. And every car must have one blind spot. It will prevent you from having a clear view. That’s why you should be alert and turn your head out to ascertain whether your lane is clear.
Understand Your Vehicle’s Limits
Do you have a BMW car? Know its limits. Don’t drive it like a Ferrari—it will resist and cause a terrible accident. So, stick to the car’s limits if you want to be safer on the road. This is especially important when it comes to speed. You can’t drive a Toyota Prius like a Rangerover. It will give you a hard time during emergency breaks. Take into account your car’s emergency stopping capabilities.
Stay Away From the Fast Lane
Stay away from the fast lane. Use center and right lanes. With these options, you have lanes that will give you more escape routes during emergency situations. According to the stats, most accidents in highways are associated with fast lanes.
Keep Distance
Don’t follow a car too closely—it will give you a hard time maneuvering during emergencies. So, keep a distance. Experts propose maintaining a 3-second lead. However, during bad weather, it’s advisable to maintain a 5-second lead.
No Night Driving
Don’t drive at night. Nighttime driving can be hazardous because it’s difficult to have a clear vision, most drivers are fatigued during the night, and it’s time for drunk drivers. So, minimize night driving dangers.
Say no To Bad Weather Driving
If you can, avoid driving during poor weather conditions. Things like ice, heavy rains, snow, as well as fog, can pose great danger. So, irrespective of the car you are using, avoid driving during these weather conditions. Your proficiency on the road won’t count so long as the weather condition is poor.
Stick to Posted Speed Limit
Of course, speed is good. People love things done quickly. But you must stick to the rules for your safety. For instance, don’t drive beyond the required/posted speed limit. Remember, excessive speed can limit the reaction time—increasing the chances of an accident.
Blind Spots
Don’t change lanes without checking whether there are blind spots. So, take note of all blind spots. You can even research online to establish the number of blind spots and their locations.
Pedestrians
You are not the only users. So, take into consideration that children, joggers, bikers, as well as pets are also using the road. They can appear suddenly and catch you off guard. So, be on the lookouts.
Other Drivers
Also, other drivers may exhibit different road reactions. So, don’t ignore other vehicles. Monitor their reactions—especially road range drivers.
Don’t Turn Before Looking Both Ways
Intersections can be confusing. So, don’t ignore them. Pay close attention to how they are designed. Always, look left and right to establish whether there is an incoming vehicle before making an intersection. Look twice. It will give you a clear picture of whether you are good to go.
How to Handle a Car Crash
Now that we have negotiated the temporary corner of car accidents, let’s look at some of the most effective ways of handling a car crash. From the basics to parties to contact, this information will enable you to handle a car crash with prudence.
Stop
Don’t proceed after a car crash. Stop. As a fundamental legal obligation, doing this will save you a lot of things. Irrespective of the nature of the accident, be sure to stop immediately.
Responsibility
Don’t admit responsibility. It’s not up to you to do it. Remember, you have an insurance policy—which is essentially a contract. Plus, the contract clearly states that a driver should never admit responsibility—even if things are obvious. So, let your insurer or car legal attorney do the talking. Your work is to keep quiet and wait. After all, car accidents aren’t your area of specialization. So, leave it to the experts.
At The Scene
Of course, you can avoid car accidents. Hover, some car accidents can happen. So, how do you behave at the scene? It’s simple? Don’t answer questions you don’t understand. In fact, keep away from questions from the other party. However, if you should answer questions, do it with care.
Extent of Injuries
What is the extent of injuries? Is there anyone who requires urgent medical care? Also, don’t move your car from the scene. Wait for the authorities to do their work.
Contacting the Police
Having a legal accident report is important. It will form a basis for any lawsuit. So, contact the police immediately. Understand the basic procedure of filing police reports. Limit Conversation with Other Parties
Don’t be generous with words and conversation during the accident. Don’t discuss it with the third party. Let the authorities do their work. Your work is to wait for your car accident lawyer. Discussions can push liability to your side and lose your insurance claims. The only party you should talk to about the accident is the police, layer, medics, and insurance representatives.
Get the Facts Right
Equip yourself with all the facts about the car accident. Get all the details of people that were involved in that car accident. From phone numbers, addresses, to names—getting these details will make communication easy and straightforward. Also, be sure to take the car’s number plates as well as the license number. Don’t forget to take the insurance company of the other party.
Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can be demanding. So, don’t undertake the process of filing a claim alone. Plus, filing a claim is a lengthy process—involving a lot of technicalities. To get the best settlement, hire a top-notch, experienced lawyer like Michael P. Fleming. He will guide you through the process of filing claim—giving you the peace of mind to concentrate on other important matters. So, save you the agony and hire a legal expert to do the lengthy paperwork. Along these lines, here is why you need an accident lawyer.
Deep Understanding of The Houston Law
The law governing accidents in Houston can be complicated. From how injury claims are treated to filing claims—the law can be intimating and confusing. Luckily, hiring an experienced lawyer can save you this process. He/she understand the laws of the land.
Processing Insurance Claims
The process of filing claims is not that simple as people think. Plus, getting maximum claims takes advanced legal expertise. And that’s where a car accident lawyer comes in. So, hire one and get the best out of the situation.
Damage Calculations
A car accident attorney will offer you a comprehensive damage calculation. From economic to noneconomic damages—a lawyer understand all the details involved.
Negations
Negotiation takes legal expertise. A lawyer is likely to represent you well than going it alone. So, if you want a handsome monetary settlement, think a car accident lawyer.
Court Representation
A lawyer has one mission—to beat your insurance company to submission and get you the best settlement.
How to Hire the Best Car Accident Lawyer
It’s not about the nature of the accident. It’s about who you hire. So, if you want the best, hire from the top. After all, you are after the best possible settlement from your insurer. So, hire the best lawyer and let the settlement do the talking. Here is how to hire the best lawyer in town to represent you during the car accident lawsuit.
Do Thorough Window-Shopping
Do your research. Sample a few legal experts. Take advantage of Google. Interview a few potential lawyers. Ask them vital questions.
Consider Going for Local Attorneys
Consider going local—it will save you money. Plus, a local lawyer understands the laws of the land. Thus, he/she will represent you better.
Hire Professional Car Accident Attorneys
Don’t just hire any lawyer. Go for one with expertise in car accidents. Remember, specialization plays a key role when it comes to the success of your lawsuit. So, don’t just trust your family lawyer. He/she isn’t a jack of all trades.
Background Check Is Important
The background of your lawyer is important. Has he/she ever been compromised by any insurance company? Look at reviews. What are other customers saying? Remember, trust is important.
The Bottom-Line
Don’t let car accidents pin you down. Learn everything concerning car accidents and live worry-free. From what car accidents are, how to handle them, managing the scene, to hiring a car accident lawyer, the above information is all you need to conquer your fears regarding car accidents. Have them on your fingertips and ride in style.
