No matter how careful you are while driving, you cannot control the actions of drivers around you. Other drivers, weather conditions, the presence of debris in the roadway or an animal running into the road may result in a car crash. Even if you follow all safe driving practices, you may someday still be involved in a car accident.

Some “best practices” that most safe drivers follow include paying attention to the road (not driving while distracted by the phone, texting, the radio or by passengers), maintaining a safe following distance, having a designated driver and ensuring your car–especially the tires and other safety equipment–is maintained in sound condition.

While you may not be able to avoid being in a car accident, there are some steps you can take to limit your risk of being in an accident or to reduce the severity of possible injuries resulting from the car accident:

• Leave the distractions at home. Distracted driving is a recipe for an accident. Set the GPS before you begin driving, do not put on makeup, shave or read the paper, and ignore the cell phone until you can safely answer it.
• Be aware of your surroundings and watch for road hazards. This means leaving a safe distance from the car in front of you and knowing the approximate positions of the vehicles around you. Give yourself options to avoid an accident.
• Extend that awareness to the driving behavior of those nearby. If someone is driving aggressively or is distracted, it’s better to back off and get out of their way than to be caught up in any accident they might cause.
• Consider weather conditions and drive appropriately.
• Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires that are under- or over-inflated will not last as long and may wear unevenly, potentially resulting in a blow-out which could cause you to lose control of the car.
• Wear your seat belt and make sure passengers do the same. Statistics have shown time and again that seat belts save lives and can reduce the severity of injuries.
• If you are transporting children, make sure they are in an age and size-appropriate car seat that is properly installed. If you aren’t sure if it’s installed correctly, stop by your local police department and ask them to check it for you. They will be happy to do so.

While no one wants to be in a car accident, the good news is that since 1990, cars have become safer and the percentage of injury accidents each year has continued to decline. In 2009, almost 72% of car accidents involved only property damage, so if you are in a car crash, it’s likely you will only need to deal with the insurance company, get a rental car and work with the body shop on repairs. If you do suffer accident-related injuries, remember that your health is your first priority. Read more about common types of accident injuries by clicking here.

You can find helpful downloads about what to do if you are in a car accident here:

What to Do If You Are In a Car Accident: Step-By-Step Guide
Accident Information Sheet for your Glove Box

Our Alabama car accident lawyers handle all automobile accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not charge you a fee until and unless we make a recovery for you. Click here to read our Special Report outlining the questions you must ask before hiring a personal injury attorney.

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury contact our experienced and dedicated Huntsville Alabama car accident attorneys. The evaluation is free and confidential.

Email us or call us toll free at (256) 533-1667.

¹http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811402EE.pdf