Road and Personal Safety: Three Points to Remember to Avoid Car Accidents in Dallas

In Dallas, car accidents are all too common. In fact, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were more than 86,000 car crashes in the city in 2016. These accidents can cause serious injuries and even death, so it's important to know how to avoid them. But, before that, let's understand what causes most car accidents.

The main cause of car accidents is human error. This can include things like distracted driving, speeding, or even just not paying attention. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human error is responsible for 94% of all car crashes.

To prevent accidents that are mostly caused by human error, the key is to recognize that you as a driver are also responsible for the safety of yourself, your passengers, and others on the road. Therefore, you should remember the ABCs of Safety: Always Be Careful.

ALWAYS be prepared

Driving is an everyday thing. You might think you know everything about it, but there's always room for improvement. Here are some things you should always do to help ensure your daily travels are as safe as possible.

Plan your route

When you're getting ready to drive, take the time to plan out your route. This will help you avoid dangerous areas, and it will also help you familiarize yourself with the roads you'll be driving on. Make sure to take into account things like construction and traffic congestion, and always obey the speed limit. Planning your route is essential because it helps you be aware of your surroundings and it helps you anticipate when and where to switch lanes. It's also a good thing to know where there would be a lot of pedestrians so you can be extra careful in those areas.

Perform pre-drive inspections

Back in driving school, we were taught to do a pre-drive inspection. This is a walk-around of your vehicle to make sure everything is in working order before you get on the road. You should check your tires, your lights, and your mirrors. This is important because it helps you be aware of any potential problems with your car that could cause an accident. However, because driving is so routine, we tend to want to ignore these checks. This complacent attitude contributes greatly to how road accidents are caused by human error. But, by taking just a few minutes to do them, you could potentially avoid a dangerous situation.

Makes sure you are mentally ready

Before you even get in your car, you should make sure you're in the right mindset to drive. This means that you should avoid distractions, like cellphone use, and avoid aggressive behavior. It's essential to be focused when you're behind the wheel, and you should always be prepared for unexpected situations.

It's also important to make sure you're physically ready to drive. This means you should be well-rested and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving when you're tired can be just as dangerous as driving drunk, so make sure you're taking care of yourself before getting behind the wheel.

Do routine maintenance regularly

Using your car every day means that it goes through a lot of wear and tear. Like anything else, your car needs to be maintained regularly to keep it running properly. This includes things like getting your oil changed, checking your brakes, and rotating your tires. By keeping up with routine maintenance, you can help avoid potential accidents caused by mechanical problems.

That said, car crashes caused by mechanical errors can sometimes boil down to a human error by negligence. Taking a few hours of your week for maintenance will save you days of not being able to use your car at all.

Decrease frequency

The more you get on the road the more you increase your chances of being involved in a car accident. Sometimes, it's like a raffle draw. Therefore, if you can, try to limit your commuting hours to when it is necessary.

If you will have to need your car every day for work, try avoiding heavy traffic as much as you can. Decreasing the number of vehicles around you also lowers your risk factor of being involved in car crashes.

Just BE

Awareness and mindfulness are the two keywords to follow when trying to avoid car accidents. As mentioned above, they are unfortunately caused by human error. And as much as we would like to think that we are great drivers, the truth is that we can't all be flawless drivers at all times. By being aware of your surroundings and being mindful of your actions, you can help prevent yourself from being the cause of an accident.

Of course, there are still other factors that can contribute to car accidents, such as weather conditions and road hazards. But, if we all do our part to be better drivers, we can help make the roads a safer place for everyone. '

Be aware of your surroundings

It's important to be aware of your surroundings while you're driving. This means keeping an eye out for things like pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles. Pay attention to the road signs and signals, and always use caution when merging into traffic.

Avoid distractions

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. To avoid being distracted, put away your phone and any other electronics before you start driving. If you need to use your phone for directions, pull over to a safe location first. And if you're ever in doubt, always err on the side of caution.

Use caution when merging into traffic

When you're merging onto a busy highway, it's important to use caution. Slow down and look for an opening in traffic before merging. Once you're on the highway, continue to use your turn signal so that other drivers are aware of your intentions.

Check your blind spots

When you're driving, it's important to check your blind spots often. This will help you avoid accidents when merging into traffic or changing lanes. To do this, simply turn your head and look over your shoulder before changing lanes. Checking your blind spots is especially important

CAREFULLY follow traffic rules

Traffic laws in Dallas are not there to simply limit our actions. Knowing that rules are also in place for our safety, is also kind of liberating.

When we follow traffic rules, we are in a sense telling the world that we care about others. Because car accidents not only hurt us physically but also emotionally and mentally.

We become more cautious and drive defensively when we remember that there are other people on the road with us. We are more likely to share the road and be more patient when we think about the safety of others.

So, the next time you're on the road, remember to follow the traffic rules and be considerate of other drivers. It could save you from being involved in an accident.

Buckle up

This one seems like a no-brainer, but it's worth mentioning because it can save your life. Make sure everyone in the car is buckled up before you start driving, and always wear your seatbelt yourself. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seatbelt use can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by up to 50%. In Dallas, all passengers are required by law to wear a seatbelt, so make sure you follow the law and buckle up.

Respect the speed limit

Obeying the posted speed limit is one of the best ways to avoid car accidents. speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents, so it's important to always drive at a safe speed. If you're ever unsure of the speed limit, err on the side of caution and go slower rather than faster. The Dallas speed limit is typically 70 miles per hour on highways and 55 miles per hour on city streets.

Mind your lane

When you're driving, it's important to stay in your lane. This will help you avoid accidents, and it's also the law in Dallas. To stay in your lane, pay attention to the road and make sure you're not drifting into another lane. If you need to change lanes, use your turn signal and check your blind spot before doing so. The lanes are designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly and to prevent road collisions, so it's important to mind your lane and stay in your lane.

Signal your intentions

One of the best ways to avoid car accidents is to communicate with other drivers. This means using your turn signal to let others know your intentions. If you're going to turn, change lanes, or stop, make sure you signal so that other drivers are aware of your intentions. By signaling, you're allowing other drivers to adjust and avoid an accident.

Protect yourself

When it comes to road safety, following the rules of the road is the best way to protect yourself. By obeying the speed limit, using your turn signal, and staying in your lane, you can avoid car accidents. By being a defensive driver and being aware of your surroundings, you can keep yourself and others safe on the road. But, what happens if you still find yourself involved in an accident?

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself if you find yourself involved in an accident. First, make sure you and your passengers are wearing seatbelts. Second, don't get out of your car until it's safe to do so. And third, call the police and file a report. Get yourself represented by one of the best law firms for car accidents in Dallas, TX.

With over 25 years under its belt, Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has the experience and resources needed to help you get the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation. We're here to help you get the justice you deserve.