Top 10 Tips to Avoid a Car Accident 

Getting into a car accident can upend your life, especially if you suffer serious or debilitating injuries in the crash. Every motorist should take care to try to avoid getting into a crash on the road. Here are 10 of the most important tips to keep in mind to help stay safe on the road. 

Tips to Follow to Reduce Your Risk of a Motor Vehicle Accident

1. Keep a responsible attitude toward driving – While enjoying the open road can be a thrilling experience for many, drivers should always be mindful of the fact that they are operating a one-to-two-ton hunk of metal that can cause serious injuries and property damage if it collides with something or someone else. Motorists should always make a conscious effort to drive responsibly.
2. Consider supervised driving when learning to drive or learning new driving conditions – If you are a new driver, you should seek to practice under the supervision of a more experienced driver. In addition, if you are a recent transplant to New Jersey from a warmer climate, you may want to learn how to operate a motor vehicle in winter conditions where vehicles become harder to control. 
3. Always wear your seatbelt – Regardless of whether you are the driver or a passenger, and regardless of how short of a distance you are driving, you should always remember to wear your seatbelt whenever in a vehicle.
4. Never drive after consuming alcohol or drugs – Even if you think you are “okay” to drive because you only had one or two drinks or only smoked “a little” marijuana, you may not realize how impaired you have become. Alcohol and drugs can quickly affect your perception, reaction time, and judgment to the point that you cannot safely operate a motor vehicle.
5. Be mindful of distractions from passengers – Although many of us travel with family, friends, or pets in the vehicle, drivers should try to limit their interactions with other occupants in their vehicle. Even carrying on a long conversation can be distracting to a driver and increase the risk of an accident.
6. Avoid nighttime driving whenever possible – The risk of an accident is much higher at night than during the day. Motorists should avoid driving during nighttime hours if possible.
7. Follow speed limits – Drivers should also refrain from excessive speed. This includes following posted speed limits. When driving through adverse weather or road conditions, drivers should drive a little below the speed limit, as their vehicle may need extra stopping distance or the driver may need extra time to slow down or maneuver to avoid a hazard. Driving at a reasonable speed also reduces the risk that a driver may lose control of their vehicle due to a road hazard.
8. Get practice driving in adverse weather – If you have less experience driving in heavy rain, snow, or fog, consider learning how to drive in those conditions by practicing in an empty parking lot or out-of-the-way road until you become more confident to drive in these conditions on busier roads.
9. Refrain from cell phone use while driving – In New Jersey, it is illegal for a motorist to use their cell phone in handheld mode while driving. Drivers under the age of 18 also may not use a cell phone while driving, even in hands-free mode. If you need to use your phone, pull over or into a parking lot to do so. 
10. Drive a safe vehicle – If you are buying a new car, consider looking for one with high safety ratings that come standard with safety features such as collision warning/avoidance, lane departure warning/lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring.

Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Auto Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an auto accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of auto accidents in Hoboken, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, East Orange, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, Trenton.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.