Car accidents are one of the most common type of accident to occur in the United States on a regular basis. This might not be completely surprising to most Americans because most of us drive every single day. With millions of cars on the road driving countless people to their destinations, there is a high chance that some of those people are going to be involved in a crash. But the car accidents that occur on American roadways every day are not just due to high traffic volume.
A recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that the majority of Americans engage in unsafe behaviors behind the wheel. The behaviors listed in the study are:
- Distracted driving, which includes the use of a cell phone while driving, eating while driving, grooming while driving and simply engaging in heated conversations with others in the car while driving;
- Drowsy driving;
- Speeding;
- Not wearing a seat belt; and
- Drunk driving.
In the survey, 87 percent of responders admitted to engaging in at least one of these behaviors while driving. All of these distracted driving behaviors can cause a driver to be involved in a collision with another vehicle, a pedestrian or a fixed piece of property like a telephone pole or a mailbox. Car crashes can lead to serious injuries for the driver and all others involved in the accident, which can have lifelong effects on the victim or even end his or her life.
How Can I Protect Myself and Others?
Minimizing your risk of being involved in a car crash is within your control. Although you cannot control how other drivers choose to drive, you can manage what you do when you are driving and how you react to others on the road. One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from being involved in a collision is to put your phone away when you drive.
Another way you can keep yourself and others safe is to always drive well-rested. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, so be sure to avoid driving if you have not had an adequate amount of sleep.
Moreover, drunk driving should be avoided at all costs. If you intent to go out drinking, plan to take public transportation, a rideshare service or a designated driver’s car home. Driving drunk does not just put you at risk of being involved in a car accident – it puts you at risk of being charged with a DWI. Finally, obey all posted traffic signals; these exist for your own safety.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates Can Help You Recover Compensation
Even if you take all the right precautions when you drive, there is still the chance that you can be injured in a car accident. For legal guidance as you seek compensation for your injuries sustained in a car accident, contact our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates. Contact us online or call us at 215-567-6600 to schedule your no-cost legal consultation at one of our convenient locations in Philadelphia and New Jersey.