There are many steps you can take to avoid being involved in a car accident. Some of them are obvious, such as obeying the speed limit, not driving while intoxicated or drowsy, and generally being aware of your surroundings.
However, it’s important to take all steps you can to prevent collisions and other common accidents. Simply doing the bare minimum isn’t enough to ensure your safety. Additional tips to keep in mind include the following:
Research Dangerous Intersections
Some roads and intersections are simply more dangerous than others. This may be due to poor road design, traffic density, and a wide range of other factors.
Research which intersections and roads account for a high rate of accidents in areas where you drive. Whenever possible, consider choosing routes that allow you to bypass these dangerous areas.
Choose the Right Car Color
It’s natural to choose a car or vehicle in a color that appeals to you. This is the main factor most people consider when choosing car colors.
That said, it’s worth noting that some car colors can increase your vulnerability on the road. For example, black vehicles are involved in accidents more often than any others. This is because they can be difficult to spot, particularly at night.
Grey vehicles are also involved in an above-average number of accidents. Grey vehicles often blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to distinguish from the road and any nearby buildings. Similarly, blue cars are often involved in accidents because they blend in with the sky.
The safest car color is white. Except in very snowy conditions, white vehicles stand out. Other safe colors include orange and yellow. Green can be relatively safe, but green cars may still be involved in a somewhat high number of accidents in rural, suburban, and wooded areas.
Turn Off Alerts
When driving, make sure you’re turning off all alerts on your phone’s apps. There are also apps you can download that allow you to not receive texts or calls when you’re driving. Even if you’re a responsible person who doesn’t plan on looking at your phone while driving, it’s best to err on the side of safety by eliminating potential distractions.
Park Smart
Don’t merely prioritize convenience when parking! True, you may want to park as close as possible to your destination, but you must remember that parking in the wrong spot can increase your risk of being involved in an accident. For example, if you were to park near a busy intersection or road, you could be harmed in an accident if another driver fails to see you when you’re pulling out.
All that said, while you may take steps to prevent accidents, it’s still possible to one day be involved in an accident resulting from someone else’s negligence. You typically deserve to be compensated for your medical bills and other such losses when this happens. If it does, get medical care right away (even if you don’t think you’ve been injured) and discuss your accident with a personal injury attorney to learn more about your options.