When the holiday season arrives, more people are on the road than usual. While Texas does not have to deal with the issues some northern states do, such as extreme ice and snow, the weather can still get pretty cold and lead to some ice on the roads from time to time.
Regardless of the situation, during the holidays, it is smart to implement a few tips to help you stay safe while on the road.
If you are involved in a car accident, be sure to contact our legal team at The Burkett Law Firm. We can help you get the compensation you are entitled to for the damages and losses you sustained in the accident.
Slow Down
When the holidays come, people often get into such a hurry that they forget about safety. Now is a time to mind your speed while on the road.
The faster you go, the more likely you will be involved in a car accident. Also, if a car accident does occur, higher speeds often lead to more severe injuries.
If the roads are slick, you know it is necessary to slow down. Sometimes, you may need to travel significantly slower than the posted speed limit. Doing this will help you maintain traction on the road since speed limits are set based on “ideal driving conditions.”
Increase Your Following Distance
When on wet or icy roads, your tires have much less traction than usual. This also means that it will take longer for your vehicle to stop. In fact, it has been found that the stopping distance may be double what it usually is on wet or icy roads. If you want to avoid being involved in a rear-end collision, you need to increase your following distance by at least five to six seconds.
Use Defensive Driving Tactics
While this tip is great for any time of year, it is especially important in the winter. When you engage in defensive driving tactics, you assume that everyone else on the road will do something dangerous at any time, such as darting out in front of you, braking suddenly, etc. It also means that you react calmly if these actions occur. You should never be an impatient or aggressive driver. If another driver is acting like this, yield to them. This will help you avoid being involved in a car accident.
Avoid Distractions
According to information from the Texas Department of Transportation, it is estimated that one out of every five accidents involves a distracted driver.
The most common cause of distractions is cell phones. With the holiday season, it is not uncommon for drivers to be searching for deals or trying to contact family and friends while behind the wheel.
If you feel like you can not wait to send a text or make a call, you should pull over to the side of the road. Only resume driving when you can put all your attention on the road and what you are doing.
Plan Before You Leave
Are you planning to go holiday shopping? If so, you may find you must use unfamiliar roads.
There is no question that weather during the winter months can be unpredictable, and other car accidents on the road can make it necessary to take alternative routes. This can increase the possibility of an accident significantly.
Having a plan before you leave can help you avoid these undesirable situations.
Steps to Take if You Are Involved in a Texas Car Accident
If you are involved in a Texas car accident, it is important that you take the right steps to protect yourself and your rights to recover compensation.
Right after the accident, you may be tempted to apologize for what happened. While this may seem like a natural and normal thing to do, avoid it. If you apologize, it can be taken as an admission of guilt.
While it is a good idea to help anyone who needs it and contact the authorities, it is smart to avoid extensive conversation with the other driver or anyone else involved.
Some of the other steps you should take after an accident include:
- Contact the authorities. Let the police know about the accident. Not only is this important to ensure you are not charged with a hit and run, but also to get an official police report.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you do not feel like you were harmed in an accident, it is a good idea to have a full medical evaluation. A doctor can find any hidden injuries and provide official documentation showing exactly what happened during the accident.
- Take account of the scene. After an accident, be sure to take photos of the accident scene and any physical injuries you sustained. Capture things like damage to all the vehicles involved, road conditions, road signs, and anything else that may be beneficial if you file a personal injury claim.
Do Not Wait to Contact a Texas Personal Injury Attorney
If you are involved in a wreck, you should seek legal counsel in an experienced car accident lawyer. Sometimes, determining liability in these cases can be difficult. If you believe another party was at-fault, you will likely need assistance recovering the compensation you are entitled to.
At The Burkett Law Firm, we have successfully represented hundreds of car accident claims. We can provide you with the same aggressive and effective legal representation we offer all our clients.
The first step is to contact our office and speak to our team. You can schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can move forward to help you recover damages.
Read More