Attorney
Are your insurance premiums too high? Is it because you have been involved in one or more car accidents? Avoiding car accidents and traffic tickets are one way you can keep insurance premiums down. While you may not be able to control what other drivers do when they are behind the wheel, you can take steps to avoid common driving behaviors that lead to traffic accidents. If you find yourself the victim of an automobile accident, our Maryland automobile accidents attorney can help.
Five Driving Behaviors That Can Cause Car Accidents
1. Distracted Driving
Multitasking might be a good idea at work, but it is a terrible idea when you are driving. Distracted driving causes thousands of car accidents each year. Cell phones are one of the most common distractions while driving. Other distractions may include grooming, eating, drinking, daydreaming, adjusting vehicle controls, reaching for objects, and interacting with passengers.
When you are driving, keep your focus on the road ahead of you. Do not use electronics while driving. Putting your phone on “do not disturb” is an excellent way of avoiding that distraction. Before leaving home, program your GPS and make sure children have everything they need close by to avoid those distractions while driving.
2. Aggressive Driving & Speeding
Leaving a little earlier to give yourself more time to arrive at your destination on time is a way you can avoid aggressive driving and speeding. When we are running late, we are more likely to exceed the speed limit and weave in and out of traffic. These driving behaviors can increase your risk of being involved in a car accident. Speeding can also increase the risk of severe injuries in a car crash.
3. Tailgating
Following too closely is also a common cause of automobile accidents. It is easy to become frustrated with a driver in front of you who is not traveling as fast as you want to travel. You might “ride” the driver’s bumper to make the driver go faster. However, the result might actually be a car accident if the driver must stop suddenly or you look away for a second and the driver slows down.
4. Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law. Impaired driving also increases your risk of being involved in a traffic accident. Drugs and alcohol impair your ability to concentrate and react quickly. Drunk and drugged driving accidents are preventable by calling a friend for a ride, using a rideshare service, or using public transportation.
5. Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving because fatigue also reduces your ability to concentrate and reduces your reaction times. Swing shift and night shift workers are vulnerable to drowsy driving accidents. Truck drivers are also vulnerable to drowsy driving if they do not take enough rest periods and breaks when they are on the road.
Contact a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney If You Are Injured in a Car Accident
When a driver causes a car accident in Texas, the driver may be liable for damages caused by the collision. If a negligent driver injures you, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries. Contact our Maryland personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your options for filing a car accident claim.