Photo by Providence Doucet on Unsplash
Driving, like riding a bike, becomes second nature. The gas pedal on the right, the break on the left, steering wheel in the front; are common knowledge to most. However, what may not be common knowledge is the exponential level of accidents due to negligent drivers increasing yearly.
If you are in a car accident, your health is the top priority. Please see a doctor or a medical professional to address your injuries. Injuries that may seem minor may be more severe than anticipated and can affect your body in the long run.
There are many preventable aspects to driving that can increase the chance of getting into an accident.
Drowsy Driving
After a long, hard day at work, the last thing you want to do is get in your car and drive home, but you do it anyway. Drowsy or fatigued driving accounts for approximately 100,000 accidents on the roadway each year.
Drowsy driving occurs when the person behind the wheel has symptoms of exhaustion and cannot stay awake. Irritability, lack of clarity, poor judgment, and delayed reaction times are a few symptoms of drowsy driving. Long hours, stress, and insomnia are common catalysts for drowsiness.
If you feel these symptoms before getting behind the wheel, please refrain from starting the vehicle and driving. You may be putting yourself and others at serious risk. Instead, please call a friend, family member, peer, taxi, or any other mode of transportation to get home.
Midnight through Six in the morning accounts for twenty-eight percent of drowsy drivers on the road. If you are driving, especially during this time, be careful of your surroundings and watch the road ahead. Even if you are not the drowsy driver, one may be next to you.
Tailgating
Getting from point A to B is usually the goal when entering the vehicle. Although most of us are in a rush to be at point B, we must enforce and understand safe driving rules. Therefore, tailgating is a common driving initiative taken.
When behind the wheel, make sure you are at least three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. If you are driving below 40 mph, you should leave approximately one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length. If you are tailgating, an accident may be waiting to occur.[i]
On the highway or the streets, any car may stop short. For example, if you are tailgating and someone stops short, you may be in a rear-end collision. However, even if the vehicle in front stops abruptly, the vehicle in the back is at fault most of the time.
Do not tailgate! Rear-end collisions can lead to major and minor issues.
If you or a loved one is engaged in a rear-end collision, first see a medical doctor or professional to address any injuries.
Shalom Law, PLLC is here to help you fight for what you deserve!
Next, call an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney. A rear-end collision may not be your fault. You will need an attorney on your side who knows how to best utilize your medical records to substantiate your claim for losses while also navigating around the evasive tactics of insurance companies. The attorneys at Shalom Law can do just that. We are prepared to fight hard for you to ensure your rights are protected, and you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation: (718) 917-9474.
