Avoiding Car Accidents

Safety should always be your number one concern when behind the wheel of a car. In 2014, a total of 29,989 fatal accidents occurred in the United States, resulting in 32,675 deaths. Exactly 962 of these deaths were in Tennessee auto accidents.

Accidents can often be avoided if certain precautions are put into place. Below are ten tips that could possibly prevent an auto accident and may even save your life.

• Drive distraction free. Whether you are driving from Nashville to Memphis or from Tennessee to Kentucky, avoid distractions in your vehicle while you're behind the wheel. Never text and drive! If your kids are screaming or fighting, it is best to pull over to handle the situation. Avoid anything that takes your mind off of driving, even if only for a second. Distracted driving one of the most common car accident causes.
• Beware of blind spots. Adjust your mirrors as needed to ensure that you're able to see all areas surrounding your vehicle as well as possible. Don't rely solely on your mirrors; turn around to be certain that a vehicle is not in your blind spot. Remember, semi-trucks have large blind spots, so never assume that they see you.
• Be familiar with your vehicle. Knowing how your vehicle performs is vital. How well can your car stop at a moment's notice? Are your tires good enough to drive in poor weather conditions? Understanding your car's performance capabilities will help you avoid driving situations that could lead to an accident.
• Perform routine maintenance. As mentioned above, being familiar with your car is very important. This includes sticking to a routine maintenance schedule and keeping track of dates: when you last got new brakes, changed fluids, got new tires, etc. Your car will perform better when kept in good condition and will be safer to handle because it has been taken care of properly.
• Use extra caution when driving at night. Drivers can be crazy during the day, but they are sometimes even more unpredictable at night. In the late evening you are more likely to encounter people driving under the influence, and your vision is not as good in the dark hours as during the day. Being hyper alert behind the wheel is especially important at night.
• Scan the area. It's important to keep your eyes on the car in front of you, but you should also periodically scan the entire area in which you're driving. Just because someone is in another lane does not mean they will stay there. When approaching an intersection, look both ways before crossing to make certain someone isn't running the red light. You may be comfortable with your driving ability, but you never know who is driving near you. Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid drowsy driving. Driving when you're tired can create serious problems. Too many people get behind the wheel of a car when they haven't had enough sleep, and this means that they are not as alert as they should be. If you are too tired to drive, don't.
• Change lanes cautiously. Cutting in front of people, changing lanes abruptly and not using turn signals are a few sure-fire ways to get involved in an accident. Being careless when changing lanes can also create road rage is others, causing them to be reckless as well. Follow the proper rules and use common courtesy when lane changing.
• Avoid the fast lane. While it seems convenient, when need to get off the interstate quickly or avoid an out of control car, the fast lane can become dangerous. If you use the center or right lanes, it's much easier to reach your exit as opposed to getting trapped in the fast lane. The left lane also attracts motorists who drive at high speeds and are more likely to cause accidents.
• Don't drive angry. Time and time again research shows that people who get behind the wheel while angry drive more aggressively, leading to an increased risk in the likelihood of a car accident. Avoid driving when your emotions might get in the way of your better judgment.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you may be in need of a car accident attorney. Before you schedule an appointment to discuss your case, read: Consultation Preparedness Checklist: 7 Documents Your Attorney Needs.