Even though the motor industry has continued to develop safer cars and death and injury figures are falling, the US still has a staggering number of automobile accidents each year. Despite taking every safety precaution before hitting the gas you never know what unexpected instances may occur once out on the open the road. Drunk driving, speeding, distractions and inclement weather all affect a vehicle’s performance. Therefore, it is imperative that we are aware of our own personal safety during road trips. Also, we should be prepared for when plans take a turn for the worse and our safety becomes compromised in unexpected situations.
Before leaving on a road trip make sure to consider many things before you get behind the wheel. First and foremost, never drive if you are intoxicated. Driving while under the influence is the leading cause of automobile accidents each year. Many of these incidents lead to serious injury and even death. Most, if not all accidents could be prevented if drunk drivers simply did not get behind the wheel. Also, when traveling on unfamiliar roads, always be sure to check out the speed limit. Keeping pace with the other traffic is crucial to your safety on the road. Maintaining a safe speed, by not going too slow or too fast, will keep you consistent with the traffic flow in that particular area. If you are going on a long road trip, depending on the distance, make sure that you have enough passengers in the vehicle to share driving duty. Driving while tired or drowsy can be worse than being drunk. Especially on road trips of over 10 hours, it is crucial that the driver is always awake and alert without any distractions. The co-pilot in the passenger seat should always be awake with the driver to be sure they are fit to be in full control of the vehicle. Also, always, but always, wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts, when worn correctly can prevent you from being thrown around in the vehicle or even worse being ejected from the car if an accident was to occur. Many people feel that, especially during long car rides, seat belts can be a pest, but not only will it save your life, it is the law. If an accident happened, and you have to file a personal injury claim, if you were not wearing your seatbelt, it reduces your chance of receiving the full amount of compensation you deserve.
If an accident were to occur, be sure to take notes and pictures at the scene. Depending on the number of vehicles involved there may be numerous reports filed providing mixed or false information on what actually happened. Make notes of the conversations with the people involved in the accident, as well as on-site witnesses and police officers. This will help provide information about what caused the accident, what damage was done, along with any injuries that may have been sustained. If your personal injuries are more severe and others involved in the accident do not have adequate insurance cover to settle your personal injury, then you need to seek a specialist in personal injury claims to instigate legal action on your behalf.
Of course, personal injuries do not only occur on the road. Many injuries sustained while on a road trip or vacation are taken too lightly. The thought that accidents can happen seems to be reduced when individuals travel, because the idea of “vacation†goes hand in hand with relaxation and enjoyment. Although this seems to be the case, travelers are still vulnerable to health issues or personal injuries caused by outside forces. For example, if you book a snorkeling trip for the day, through a travel agency and something goes wrong putting your personal safety at risk, you need to act smart and act fast. Taking immediate action and filing a personal injury claim will ensure that your accident is covered and you are compensated for any injuries you have received.
Finding a legal professional that deals with personal injury claims is the best option to guarantee that you will receive the maximum compensation for your injury. The price of hiring a personal injury lawyer varies from state to state, but most attorneys earn about 40 percent of the personal injury award. Seeking advice from friends or your health care professional will help you choose an attorney you feel comfortable with and someone who you trust.
Accidents are never planned, but you are able to be proactive on planning for these “what if†situations. Always have a plan as well as legal professionals in mind for assistance when the unexpected happens.