No matter how safely you drive, rear-end collisions can – and do – still occur. Usually, whenever such an accident occurs, the rear-driver is presumed to be the one at fault absent evidence to the contrary. Although this is good news if you are the driver in front, it doesn’t prevent you from having to deal with all of the accompanying aggravation of personal injuries, property damage, and stubborn insurance companies. So what can you do to make the situation better? Well, for starters, you’ll want to do whatever you can to avoid being rear-ended in the first place. Here are 3 tips for avoiding a rear-end collision.
1. Try to anticipate what other drivers around you will do.
If you had a crystal ball and you could see the future, you’d never be rear-ended again. But while we have no crystal ball, we can try to anticipate what the drivers around us are going to do – before they do it. For instance, if the driver ahead of you were braking farther down the road, you would anticipate that you’d have to brake too. If you brake, the car behind you will have to do the same. Therefore if you can begin to brake sooner, the driver to your rear will have more time to slow down too. You should also utilize your mirrors so that you can get out of the way of a potential accident beforehand. This usually means checking them every eight seconds when you are slowing down or stopping.
2. Help other drivers anticipate what you will do.
In much the same way that you should try to anticipate what the drivers around you might do, it’s important to help other drivers to anticipate what you will do. So firstly, always use your turn signals far in advance. This is probably the number one thing that you can do to help other drivers to know what you are planning to do before you do it. Don’t wait until the last minute to turn them on.
3. Plan for how you can get out of the way.
By anticipating what other drivers around you are going to do, sometimes you can detect accidents before they happen. When you have the advantage of foresight, it’s important that you know how to avoid being in the way of the potential accident. Always have an idea of where you can go to get out of your current spot on the road. For example, if you are sitting at a red light and see a vehicle rapidly speeding up behind you, you’ll want to have an escape plan to get out of the way.
MPJ Law Firm Can Help Those Who Have Been Injured in a Car Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it can feel overwhelming. But you shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s mistakes. At MPJ Law Firm, we have a deep understanding of car accidents and a long history of dealing with insurance companies. We will always act in your best interest. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
Posted in: Automobile Accidents