When it comes to hitting the road this summer, get ready for a lot of company. Summer is the busiest driving season of the year, and is a time when kids are out of school and adults are taking off as much time as they can to soak in the sun. Roadways can get pretty congested over these next few months as a result, and due to the incredible volume of traffic, you can unfortunately count on many car accidents this season. Of course, that does not mean you will be involved in one. In fact, the attorneys at the Parrish DeVaughn Law Firm would rather keep you away from any summer collisions by offering these driving tips.
The Parrish DeVaughn Law Firm is an Oklahoma City and Tulsa area personal injury legal team with many years of service in the region. We see car accident cases all the time so we know what to look for when trying to stay safe on the road this summer. By following these few tips, you should be able to keep yourself away from run-ins.
Make Sure Your Car is Checked
More often than not, a car accident is caused by something inside the vehicle malfunctioning or breaking down. These are among the easiest accidents to avoid, and you can start by taking your car in for regular maintenance. Especially if you are planning a long road trip, you will want to first eliminate any outstanding issues (such as an oil change) that could hinder your drive, and if a local mechanic finds any other problems, you may need to consider getting those corrected as well. Better safe than sorry.
Drive Defensively
Many car accidents can be avoided by changing your personal driving style. Defensive driving in particular is a great way to cut down on potential accidents. That being said, staying alert and cautious can be difficult when you really need to get somewhere in a hurry or when your family in the backseat is causing you grief. It is therefore of the utmost importance that, in spite of possible distractions, you do your best to maintain your lane, yielding right of way whenever able, and only passing when absolutely safest to do so. Should you ever get tired or groggy, pull over and take a break.
Wear Your Seatbelt Every Time
You would think this too obvious to mention, but the number of car accidents made worse by not wearing a seatbelt is still staggering. After all, sometimes accidents just happen, and you need to be prepared when they do. Not only will buckling your seatbelt save you from some pretty hefty fines, it could also be the difference between a small collision and an emergency room visit.
What’s Next After a Car Accident?
All the best driving tips in the world will not save you from the recklessness and negligence of others. Therefore, if you ever do find yourself in a nasty car accident, you might just want to pursue legal action, especially depending on the condition of the accident. So if you would like to know more driving tips or get additional information on how to pursue a personal injury case, contact a representative at the Parrish DeVaughn Law Firm today to see how we can help you.
