Accidents happen all the time. No matter whose fault is it, and regardless of how careful you attempt to be, accidents still happen. If you are involved in an unforeseen tragedy, what do you do? Who would you turn to for advice?
Earlier this year, seven people were killed in a crash on Interstate 75 southbound between Gainesville and Alachua County. Five of the victims were children from Marksville, Louisiana riding in a church van heading for Walt Disney World. According to the highway patrol, a truck was travelling northbound when it suddenly veered left and collided with the driver of the church van. This led to a multivehicle crash that not only killed seven people, but also injured at least eight others, many of whom were sent to the hospital according to fire rescue.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time a tractor trailer was involved in a fatal crash, and it certainly won’t be the last. But just because it is impossible to keep tragedies from occurring altogether does not mean that there is nothing you can do to help protect yourself. How? Here are several tips that will help keep you safe on the road.
Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained
Whether you are going on a long road trip, or just running some errands, no matter what type of vehicle you drive, it is critical that your car or truck is properly maintained. First and foremost, make sure that you are not driving on old or overly worn tires. It is critical that when you break or make a sharp turn, your tires support the action you wish to take. If you brake to avoid an accident because you saw it in time, but your tires are old, even though you made the right decision, your tires may not allow you to stop the vehicle in time to avoid the accident. When your check engine light comes on, be sure to take your car or truck in for its regular maintenance. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you could have avoided a vehicle breakdown on the side of the road. Many people are killed or injured each year while attempting to change a tire or repair a vehicle on the side of the highway. Make sure your brakes are properly maintained and changed at the recommended mileage, and if you hear them squeaking or screeching, take your vehicle in right away to be checked up. Also, make sure your wipers are maintained. Although it is sometimes hard to remember to change your windshield wipers until you are actually caught in a downpour, anyone who has been caught in a storm with old wipers knows how important it is to have properly working windshield wipers.
Don’t text and drive, or drink and drive, and don’t drive when you are tired
How many times have you heard that an accident was caused because one or both drivers were looking at their mobile phone instead of on the road? Picking up your phone, or texting and driving while you’re in the driver’s seat is a recipe for disaster. It is impossible to not only keep your own focus, but be able to steer clear of potential mistakes by other drives, if 100% of your attention is not on the road. Today most people have a mobile phone, and many are more distracted than ever when they are behind the wheel. It is critical to have 100% of your attention on the road so you can defend yourself against others who do not.
What if the accident still happened?
Whether or not the collision was your fault, it is best to contact an attorney that specializes in automobile accidents, like Thompson Legal, P.A., a reputable law firm with years of experience in personal injury and automobile accidents that can help you figure out the best legal step to take next. Give us a call at (954) 510-3366 for a free consultation and let one of our attorneys help you get through the rough road you are going through.