Preventing, and Recovering From, Auto Accidents

Here in the United States, traveling by car is a way of life. But it’s not completely safe. Tragically, there are tens of thousands of fatal car accidents in the US each year. On top of those, there are plenty more minor accidents, which range from little fender-benders to accidents that cause serious and lingering injuries.

Short of ceasing to use cars entirely–not exactly the most feasible thing in a country where the vast majority of people commute by car–there’s no surefire way to avoid car accidents. But there are a lot of things that you can do in order to at least reduce your risk. And there are plenty of things that you should know about what to do after an auto accident.

How to Reduce Your Odds of Getting into a Car Accident

Keeping yourself safe on the road begins with the decisions that you make before you ever get behind the wheel. Most obvious is the fact that you should never drive when you are in a compromised state.

You should never drive when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (and remember, “tipsy driving” is just another kind of drunk driving). You should also be careful about driving when tired, which can be surprisingly dangerous. In some cases, it’s just as dangerous as driving when drunk.

Your car matters, too. A well-cared-for vehicle will treat you a lot better on the road, according to the experts at New York Auto and Diesel Institute, an institution that offers automotive, diesel and collision repair academic programs. When you take care of routine maintenance needs, and important repairs, then you can be more confident that your car will respond as it should to your driving.

Speaking of your driving, safe driving is essential to avoiding accidents. And minding your own decisions isn’t enough–since you can’t predict what other drivers on the road will do, you should be sure to practice defensive driving, which attempts to counter the mistakes of other drivers by anticipating their mistakes, and not making any assumptions about their ability to do the right thing.

All of these things will help you minimize your risk of getting into an accident. Unfortunately, they won’t completely eliminate that risk. It is, of course, still possible for you to get into a serious accident.

Responding to, And Recovering From, an Accident

If you’re ever in a car accident, start by checking on your health and safety, and then move on to the health and safety of others. If you’re not safe remaining in your vehicle, or if the vehicle is in a dangerous place, consider moving the car, or leaving the vehicle for a safer place. The choice to do so will have to be a judgment call that you make based on your situation.

Once you’ve confirmed that everyone is safe–or called 911 if anyone is hurt–contact the authorities. You may be required by law to call the police, depending on the severity of the accident, and it won’t hurt to call them in, even if you aren’t required to. And make sure that you get a copy of the police report.

That police report should be the first of many documents that you get and hold onto, say the experts at the Davis Kelin Law Firm. Everything that you keep track of will help you, and your attorney, if, and when, you choose to seek financial compensation.

And seeking financial compensation is certainly something that you’ll want to consider. Under the personal injury laws of your state, you’ll be able to seek compensation for a variety of damages, including medical bills triggered by injuries you sustained in the accident, and income lost after an accident limited your ability to work.

To make the case, you’ll need to show that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident. To learn more, make an appointment and consult with an experienced and licensed attorney who practices personal injury law in your area.

A car accident can be a terrible thing, but you can do a lot to reduce your odds of being in a serious one. And you can fight back if you’ve become a car accident victim.