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Posted in Car Accidents on October 12, 2020
Staying safe on the road isn’t as simple as just monitoring your own driving. You must also prepare for the potential challenges presented by other drivers on the road. A look at these shocking car accident statistics and how they impact Louisiana drivers can help you better understand the potential risks out on the roads and how to avoid them.
In spite of the fact that most drivers now understand the dangers associated with texting and driving, many of them continue to use their cell phones and juggle other distractions behind the wheel. Texting poses both a manual distraction and a visual one, since drivers must remove their eyes and at least one hand from the wheel in order to text. The average text requires a driver to take their eyes off the road for at least five seconds. In those five seconds, catastrophic accidents can occur.
Texting drivers can pose a serious accident risk to everyone around them. Unfortunately, texting drivers may struggle to notice challenges or hazards on the road. Even checking the incoming messages on a smart watch can pose a significant hazard to you as a driver. Keeping your eyes on the road, on the other hand, can substantially decrease accident risk and allow you to respond more appropriately to any challenges you might face.
Aggressive driving, including road rage, can cause drivers to behave in uncharacteristic, dangerous ways behind the wheel. Many drivers struggle with road rage due to inadequate time to reach their destinations or tight traffic. As time gets tighter, these drivers may speed, swerve in and out of traffic, or even ignore the rules of the road in an effort to reach their destination faster and “get one over” on other drivers around them.
Leaving plenty of time to reach your destination can cut down significantly on road rage and make it easier for you to deal with any challenges you might face along the way. It can also prove helpful to pull off the road to calm down, rather than getting aggressive with other drivers. Consider how your driving behaviors have the potential to impact other drivers, and leave adequate space for others around you. Learning how to stay calm and control your temper behind the wheel can go a long way toward helping you decrease your accident risk.
If you notice another driver acting aggressively around you, you can take steps to avoid that driver. First, do not deliberately engage. If you notice a driver speeding or swerving through traffic, remember that you do not have to keep up with him. Do not respond with hand gestures or a sharp blow of the horn to a driver who attempts to share his anger with you through those methods. Instead, take a calming breath and, if needed, pull off the road or choose another route to reach your destination. If you notice a driver behaving very aggressively, especially one who seems to pose a risk to others around him, contact the police to deal with the situation if needed.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol struggle to properly control their vehicles. Many lose higher-order thinking skills, including problem-solving and reaction times, which can help them respond to potential challenges on the road and avoid accidents. At a high blood alcohol content, drivers may struggle with tunnel vision or impaired motor skills, which can make it incredibly difficult to operate a vehicle.
Drunk drivers’ behavior can vary enormously. Some drivers, due to decreased inhibitions, will take more chances than they would if driving while sober. Others may behave erratically, making unpredictable moves on the road that can make them very difficult to drive around. Drunk drivers may also react inappropriately as an accident does occur: slamming on the brakes instead of the gas, for example. As a result, drunk drivers can cause accidents with more severe injuries than those caused by sober drivers.
You may first notice an inebriated driver due to their erratic behavior: speeding, swerving around the road, or ignoring the rules of the road, for example. In other cases, you may notice an inebriated driver who drives extremely slowly, usually well below the speed limit, in an effort not to “appear” drunk. Unfortunately, both types of behavior can prove equally dangerous.
If you do notice a drunk driver on the road, do not linger nearby. Instead, either move past the drunk driver quickly or pull off the road to avoid an accident. Take another route to your destination, if needed. If possible, pull off the road and call the police to notify them of the drunk driver. A drunk driver poses a hazard to everyone who shares the road with him, and a drunk driving accident can cause incredibly serious injuries.
If you’re involved in an accident, including an accident that involves distracted, drunk, or aggressive driving, the steps you take immediately after the accident can help protect your health and your finances. Make sure that you:
Contact the police to report the accident. Do not let a distraught, distracted, or drunk driver talk you into failing to report the accident, since this could cause it to come back on you later. Unless you need to leave for medical attention, stay at the scene of the accident.
Go to the hospital or an urgent care center. Get your injuries checked out by a professional to ensure that you receive the care you need.
Contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal right to compensation after a serious accident. Contact an attorney as soon as you can.
At Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC, we have helped many accident victims seek compensation through personal injury claims. Contact us today at 504-500-5000 for your consultation.