You may be planning a road trip to visit family over the holidays. If you are not visiting family, you may still be planning a road trip to take advantage of the long holiday weekend. While these journeys can be fun and exciting, they also increase your risk of an accident. While you cannot always predict what other drivers will do, you can take steps to protect yourself.
Know Where You Are Going
Map out your route before you leave home. Know the types of roads you’ll be traveling on and the weather conditions. Find out about road construction and other potential traffic issues. Thanks to modern technology, many vehicles are equipped with navigation and real-time traffic alerts. This helps you avoid situations that increase your risk of injuries.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Take your vehicle to your mechanic for a checkup before you leave home. Have him perform a thorough inspection of your safety systems, such as brakes and tires. Worn parts can lead to vehicle malfunction and an accident. Replace any worn parts before you start your trip.
Be Well Rested And Alert
Get plenty of rest before you start your journey. Some people like to travel at night while the kids are sleeping and when traffic is light. However, you should take a nap before leaving home so that you can stay awake and alert. Take breaks to avoid fatigue, especially if you are traveling on the interstate because this can lull you to sleep. Pull over and take a break if you feel tired or have trouble keeping your eyes open. Share driving responsibilities to decrease the risk of fatigued driving.
Share The Road With Others
Remember you aren’t the only vehicle on the road. Pay attention to what other drivers are doing, and look for signs of a potential accident. For example, if you see a vehicle hugging the center line or swerving back and forth in the lane, back away and maintain a safe distance from this vehicle. Stay out of the blind spots of others, especially large trucks, and watch your blind spots. Large trucks and semis have wider blind spots, so be careful when passing.
Know Your Vehicle’s Safety Features
New models of vehicles are equipped with numerous safety features and systems. Know what these systems are and how to use them before you leave home. Some systems provide alerts, but this is only beneficial if you pay attention and know what the alerts are telling you. Some common safety systems include lane departure warnings, parking assistance, forward collision warnings, and blind spot monitoring. When you utilize these systems correctly, you can reduce your risk of an accident.
Get Help Right Away
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and suffered injuries, contact a NoLA accident attorney right away. He can work to help you build a solid case for compensation to pay for medical care, lost wages, and other damages. Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney for a consultation even if you aren’t sure you will need legal representation. You don’t need to battle with insurance companies and the other involved parties on your own.
Call Our NoLA Accident Attorney Now
Contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm for a free case evaluation and consultation. It doesn’t cost you anything to get legal advice from an experienced NoLA accident attorney.
You can contact our office by telephone at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule an appointment or to get additional information about New Orleans car accidents.