Next semester, I’m learning how to drive. This is new for me, because I’m from a big city and didn’t grow up driving. It’s important, though, because I can use a car here in school and am likely to need one when I graduate and start working.
I’m pretty nervous, though. I’ve been worried about car accidents. They seem way too common, and I don’t want to cause one — or have someone else cause one that hurts me. I don’t have lots of money lying around for hospital bills and stuff. Experts, can you ease my mind?
Staying safe on the road is a vital concern in the United States, where nearly 90% of households own a car and where the overwhelming majority of workers commutes by passenger car. In many areas of this country, there’s simply no getting around without a car — which means there’s no getting around the dangers of the open road. To stay safe, we each need to know how to drive properly and how to anticipate the mistakes of others. Unfortunately, we also need to know what to do if our precautions fail and we end up in a motor vehicle accident.
Safe driving starts before a driver ever gets behind the wheel. Not every driving situation is safe, and drivers need to be realistic and careful about these things. Drunken driving is the obvious example here: It’s an incredibly dangerous activity that far too many Americans still indulge in. But don’t forget about driving when tired or distracted. It may come as a surprise to learn that one of the most dangerous things that you can do while driving is eat.
Even when fully aware and paying full attention, a driver can make mistakes. That’s why smart drivers should practice defensive driving. Defensive driving means assuming as little as possible about the good decision-making of those around you. It means giving extra space and driving extra carefully, in case someone makes a terrible mistake. An extra few feet of space between you and the car in front of you could make all the difference in a dangerous situation!
A driver isn’t in this alone, of course. There is a silent partner: The car itself. And the condition of a vehicle can make a huge difference in its safety, explain experts who offer mechanics automotive and diesel certifications in New York State. A vehicle that is well-cared-for is much more likely to respond properly to driver input, the pros say, which translates to a safer drive. A car that has been neglected can fail a driver at a dangerous time.
All of the above can be the difference between peril and safety on the road. The unfortunate truth, though, is that even this important steps offer no guarantees. Drivers can dramatically reduce their odds of getting into an accident, but completely eliminating the possibility is virtually impossible. That’s why all drivers should know what to do in the event of an accident.
That starts with knowing the basics of reacting to an accident when at the scene: Drivers should know to put health and safety first by calling 911 over any injuries and making smart decisions regarding in the vehicle, moving the vehicle, and other basic choices. It also means knowing what to do in the days, weeks, and months after an accident — including how to handle legal concerns.
If a driver ends up hurt in an accident that was caused by somebody else’s negligence, then they may have legal options, explain the personal injury experts at Nashville, Tennessee, law firm Cummings Law. In Tennessee and all over the United States, state laws outline a possible recourse through a personal injury lawsuit. A wronged party can sue another party for negligence and recover funds for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
