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At Pierce Skrabanek PLLC, we know car accidents are going to happen. There is no way to entirely eliminate the risk of a crash on Texas roads. However, you may ask, “How can car accidents be prevented?”
There are several steps you can take to help reduce the risk of an accident. If you follow these safety measures from our car accident attorneys, you may greatly reduce your chance of being involved in a crash. Our lawyers want to help Texas drivers keep their families safe.
There are several actions you can take before you even begin driving to significantly reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident:
1. Keep an Alert Posture.
Keeping your back straight rather than leaning back in your seat will better prepare you to react to any hazards or problems you may encounter on the road.
2. Have All Mirrors Set For Best Vision.
Adjust your side mirrors and rearview mirrors so that you have a near-seamless panoramic view behind you. You should be able to see both your left and your right sides, as well as behind you, with just the slightest movements of your eyes. Do this before you start driving; adjusting the mirrors while driving can be a distraction in itself.
3. Place Your Hands at the 9 and 3 O’Clock Positions.
Many people make the mistake of driving with one hand at the 12 o’clock position or keeping both hands at the bottom of the wheel. These are easy habits to slip into. When you have your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions, however, you have maximum control of the vehicle. This gives you the best chance of maneuvering around a potential crash.
4. Know Your Car’s Limits.
Pay attention to how your car reacts to certain situations. How does your car turn on sharp corners? How long does it take to brake? How much grip do your tires have? While many people don’t think about these issues, these are important questions to answer — it could be the difference in avoiding a crash or causing one.
5. Make Sure Your Vehicle is Operating Safely.
Stick to your car’s scheduled maintenance routine, especially on older or high-mileage vehicles. This includes regular oil changes, new brakes, engine tune-ups, and more.
Cars can fail and cause an accident in several ways. Blown or worn tires, tattered brakes, and broken windshield wipers are all capable of triggering accidents — and are all preventable and easily fixed. Failing to maintain your own vehicle can affect your liability and damages if you end up in a crash.
There are a number of car accident causes. Many of these factors seem obvious yet still frequently contribute to an accident. Learning how to manage these risks is an important aspect of car accident prevention. They include:
Most of us have cell phones on us all day long. While it may be tempting to text or talk to a friend while behind the wheel, put your phone down. Whatever the call or message, it can wait. The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute stated that 2,841 people were killed in vehicle crashes in 2018 alone due to distracted drivers.
For this reason, drivers should avoid cell phone use while driving. Other distractions can include eating or drinking while driving, adjusting the radio, or even talking to a passenger.
Always follow the posted speed limit. Speeding can be especially dangerous for new drivers. Also, remember that speed limits are calculated based on ideal driving conditions. If driving at night or in the rain, reduce your speed below the posted limit.
Speed also affects the potential for damage if you are involved in a crash. For example, the injuries and damage caused by a crash at 30 miles per hour are likely to be less severe than those in a 55-mile-per-hour crash.
No matter how experienced a driver you are, everyone should drive more cautiously at night. Hazards are harder to spot, and poor weather at night makes driving even more potentially dangerous. Consider avoiding driving at night when possible.
Nearly 50 percent of all fatal car crashes occur at night.
Fog, ice, snow, slush, and rain will all affect roads and make driving more dangerous. If possible, don’t drive in these conditions. But if you must, please drive slower and be more aware on the road.
Car accidents can cause serious accidents and can be fatal in many cases. Pursuing a car accident lawsuit can be difficult without the assistance of an experienced injury attorney.
Car accident laws and court procedures in Houston can be different from those in other areas of Texas and the U.S. If you or your loved one has been the victim of a car accident in the Houston area, the attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek can help your family. Call us today at (832) 690-7000, or contact us online.
There is no cost or obligation to speak with a Texas car accident attorney. We can help get you started on the path toward your complete recovery.
Protecting yourself after a car accident is highly important. In the event that you are involved in a car accident, you should first seek medical attention immediately. After that, it’s advised that you avoid making statements to the other party and their insurance reps. Collect important documents like police or medical reports and seek legal representation as soon as you’re able — a Houston car accident lawyer can gather evidence on your behalf while you rest.
There are precautions you can take to reduce the risk of a whiplash injury. One includes purchasing a newer car with a higher rear-crash protection rating. Another precaution includes adjusting the headrest into the proper position. At the moment of a crash, it helps to brace for impact — press your head back against the headrest to help minimize whiplash effects.
You may need to file a car accident lawsuit to compensate you for injuries caused by the negligent actions of another. This compensation, known as a “damages award,” can cover expenses such as hospital bills, surgery costs, medication expenses, car repairs, pain and suffering, wrongful death expenses, and other losses. An experienced Houston car accident lawyer can help you obtain the highest possible verdict or settlement amount.
If you or a loved one are involved in a car accident lawsuit, there may be several legal concepts and procedures that can be difficult to navigate for a non-attorney. A car accident lawyer can help gather evidence, craft a litigation strategy, and guide you through the legal process from start to finish. Contact a Houston car accident lawyer at Pierce Skrabanek at (832) 583-1862 if you need immediate legal assistance for your claim.
We know how tough things can get after an injury. That’s why we make your struggles our fight. With over three decades of combined experience, we’ve been the reliable allies our clients need, tackling financial hardships, physical pain, and major life changes. Our track record of successful verdicts and settlements speaks to our team’s passion and dedication to helping clients get the support and justice they need.
Summary: The clients suffered back injuries when they were struck by an 18-wheeler in East Texas. The case settled after 4 depositions.
Summary: Paul Skrabanek and Mike Pierce tried a case for an injured motorist. There was a dispute as to whether the defendant driver was at fault. After a week-long trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in the 234th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
