There are times when you see a car crash coming just before it actually happens. It might be because you hit an inopportune patch of ice or because you see someone barreling through an intersection and you don’t have time to stop before you hit them. In any regard, you can make sure that you lessen your chances of getting seriously injured by remembering that there still may be time to react.
Step 1: Know Where to Go
Make sure you pay attention to side roads, sidewalks and other paths of travel that might get you out of the way. These are called escape routes. You should constantly be surveying the road ahead for them. For example, if you know you can cut left at an intersection without hitting anyone, you may be able to veer away from a driver who negligently turns in front of you.
Step 2: Train Yourself
Your number one resource in a fast and dangerous situation is training. If you haven’t taken driver’s ed since high school, it’s time to take a defensive driving course. They’re actually pretty enjoyable and the skills you get may well save your life someday, or someone else’s.
Step 3: Know Your Vehicle
Make sure you keep up with your vehicle’s condition. You should always be confident that your brakes work well and that your tires and steering are in good shape. You should know how fast your car can accelerate in an emergency, as well. Go out to a parking lot or another safe spot to try all of this out. Knowing your vehicle can save you. Even though they’re not living things, it’s just as important as a cowboy knowing how their horse thinks. You need to know what your vehicle can do and what it cannot do.
Step 4: Know Your Rights
If you’re a competent, considerate driver, you should never be afraid of the roads. If someone’s negligence causes you physical or financial harm, call an accident lawyer. Sometimes, it seems like good drivers get punished for being considerate and that bad drivers get away with all the pain they cause others. A lawyer may be able to put together a lawsuit for you that could win you compensation and make sure that your rights are respected in the same way that you respected other people.
