Car-Truck Crashes & Dangerous Driving Habits

Flying down a roadway at speeds of up to 70 mph might obviously come off as dangerous.  Unfortunately, many drivers today ignore the simple fact that driving in general can be dangerous under certain circumstances.

We are all aware of the possibilities of accidents, injury, and even death due to driver negligence. However, many drivers become so accustomed to being behind the wheel that they lose their alertness and become too relaxed when on the road. There are many cases brought to our car accident lawyer services every day that could have been prevented if only the drivers were paying attention.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Whether related to trucks or cars, one major cause of accidents in the U.S. is the use of drugs and/or alcohol. Driving under the influence means your ability to judge distance, react safely, and, even see clearly is impaired. Any use of drugs or alcohol means you should not get behind the wheel for any reason.

Cell Phones

Cell phones have helped us stay easily connected and reachable, but it has also led to more distracted driving on the road. Whether the driver is having a conversation, looking for a phone number, or attempting to text while driving, cell phones are to blame for many deadly accidents every single day.  To be a safe and responsible driver, place your phone out of reach while driving. Any calls or texts can be returned once you stop.

Speed

High-speed collisions are preventable. There is a reason why there are set speed limits on our roads, mainly because the faster a vehicle is going, the harder it is to control. Is getting to work on time worth your life or someone else’s life?  Ignoring speed limit signs isn’t worth it when it creates a hazardous situation for other drivers.

Time management is part of being a responsible adult; if you oversleep, then you need to deal with the consequences of being late. If you are indeed racing to the hospital, put your emergency flashers on and hurry, but still drive safely.

Reckless Driving

Swerving, jumping from lane to lane, cutting in too closely in front of other vehicles—especially large trucks — and driving too fast are all forms of reckless driving. If everyone on the road drove as if they were the only vehicle on the road, there would be chaos. This is why there are traffic rules. All it takes is one person driving recklessly to cause a 20 car pileup on the highway.

When you are involved in a car accident, the first thing to think of (after making sure people are safe and the authorities are notified) is to attempt to discover who is at fault. Car and truck crashes are expensive and painful, and they can cause not just death, but lifelong health problems.

Even if you are in a small fender bender, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer to make sure that everything is handled properly. If you are at fault, you will definitely need an attorney to help you wade through all the responsibilities you’ve now taken on. Contact our law firm  Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers to learn more about your rights and responsibilities if you have been involved in a car or truck accident.