Summer Safe Driving Tips From Personal Injury Attorneys
Summer is the season with the most traffic. The more vehicles there are, the greater the risk you’ll be in an accident. Take steps to minimize those chances so you can reach your destination safely.
If you or a family member are injured in a vehicle accident this summer, contact a skilled and reputable Costa Mesa car accident attorney at Hicks Law Firm. Our firm earns the trust of our clients every day. Call us at (949) 541-9944 or fill out a contact form if you have any questions or need help after an accident.
Maintain Your Vehicle
You can’t control other drivers, but you control your vehicle’s maintenance. If you don’t maintain it and it becomes unreasonably dangerous, you may be the one causing an accident that injures or kills yourself or others.
The added stopping and going due to increased traffic and the additional heat that comes with summer driving puts more stress on your car. Have your mechanic inspect your car before the summer or at least early in the season to see if something should be replaced before it fails:
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Seriously worn tires should be replaced. Your tires can get up to 50 degrees hotter than the outdoor temperature. The higher the temperature, the greater the air pressure in the tire, the more likely it will blow. Depending on your speed at the time, you may lose control and cause a crash. If it fails at the wrong time (at night) in a bad place (a highway or busy street without enough room to safely pull over), it can endanger your safety and that of your passengers. Worn tires may also cause your vehicle to take more time and distance before stopping. Your mechanic should also look at your brakes while they’re inspecting your tires
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Make sure your radiator has enough coolant and isn’t leaking. An overheating car won’t last long in California heat, so you’ll need to pull over
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Check your air conditioning. Generations of vehicle-owning Californians toughed it out without air conditioning, but you’re not one of them. Driving in a heat wave, in the sun, in an un-air-conditioned car, especially if you need to go a long distance, will make you uncomfortable, less able to focus, and increase the risk of distraction. Depending on how long you’re in the car, if you don’t drink enough fluids, you also risk dehydration
The state’s roads and highways have enough problems. Don’t cause more.
Distracted Driving is Dangerous
You need to relax and focus when you drive. No matter what’s going on in your life, where you’re headed, why, or whether you’re late, no destination is worth an accident. While driving, don’t respond to texts or calls. If you need help with directions, set up your GPS app before you leave.
Take your time and precautions along the way. The person who cut you off may deserve a punch in the nose, but you won’t give it to them. You’re relaxed, focused, and chilling out emotionally and physically, thanks to your air conditioning.
You may encounter drivers not doing as well as you. Distracted drivers can make the same mistakes intoxicated ones do. They may:
- Weave in and out of lanes
- Slow down and speed up
- Stop short at stop signs or lights
- Brake and steer erratically
Whether these drivers are intoxicated, impaired, tired, asleep, or distracted, keep them in front of you until you can safely pass them.
Wear Your Safety Belts
No matter the season, wear safety belts. We’ve seen cases where drivers or passengers didn’t use them, which can be heartbreaking because their injuries may have been prevented or significantly reduced if they had.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that seat belt use reduces the risk of fatal injuries by 45% for front-seat passengers and 60% for drivers. Seat belts help keep passengers inside the vehicle and prevent ejection, a leading cause of vehicle accident fatalities.
Your vehicle probably has airbags to help cushion the force of a crash. They supplement safety belts. They don’t replace them. Airbags work with seat belts to provide maximum protection in an accident. Airbags alone cannot prevent passengers from hitting the windshield, steering wheel, or dashboard in a collision.
California law requires children younger than eight to ride in car or booster seats. Afterward, they can use a seat belt if they are at least 4’9″ tall. State law also requires every vehicle passenger to wear a seat belt.
California law requires those filing personal injury lawsuits to mitigate their damages or take reasonable steps to limit the harm an accident may cause. If you’re not using seatbelts, you’ll have the burden of showing what injuries you would have suffered even if you wore them. Depending on the situation, this may be very difficult or impossible, possibly significantly reducing your case’s settlement value.
Have You Been Involved in a Vehicle Accident?
Our car accident attorneys have successfully represented individuals like you injured in vehicle accidents. Our team can help you recover fair compensation for injuries suffered during summertime accidents. Schedule a complimentary case consultation by contacting us today.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
