Everyone on the roadway in Georgia and across the country has some risk of becoming involved in an automobile accident. Safe drivers can prevent accidents caused by their actions but cannot always avoid the actions of others. There are things people can do to lower the risk of an accident, reduce injuries if one occurs, and protect their rights after a crash.
Avoid distracted driving
Drivers need to pay attention to their vehicles and watch what others are doing around them. Constant vigilance cannot prevent every incident, but it lowers the risk. Focus on driving when behind the wheel instead of sharing attention between driving, phone calls, eating, and many other tasks people often do in their vehicles.
Drive safe vehicles
Safe vehicles are those that rate higher on vehicle safety checks. All makes undergo testing to determine how they rank in crash tests and how mechanically reliable they are. Do thorough research when car shopping to choose a vehicle with a high ranking to reduce injury risks if involved in an accident.
Keep vehicles maintained
Good maintenance will prevent mechanical failures that may cause an accident. Have a mechanic check the tires and brakes and visually examine the remainder of the auto at every oil change. Do all maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. Check the United States Department of Transportation website annually for the recall listing for any recalls on vehicles currently owned. Vehicle owners can enter their VIN code for recalls on their make and model. All parts and labor to repair a recalled part are free for the owner.
Every driver can increase their safety on the roadway, but they will never avoid all risks of an accident. If one does happen, people should also remember their rights. All accident victims should expect the driver responsible for the damages to cover the costs related to the event. Do everything possible to avoid being the cause of an accident, and demand compensation if injured by someone else.
