While you can’t guarantee you can avoid a car accident forever, there are certainly steps you can take to prevent the common causes of car accidents and avoid a car accident injury. Millions of people are injured each year in car accidents and find themselves at the car accident doctor, wondering what just happened and what to do next. With so many cars on the road, it’s almost impossible to drive anywhere without seeing the signs of a recent accident, like cars pulled over on the shoulder after a fender-bender. You can’t control how other drivers around you choose to behave, but you can do something about your own driving habits. Check out these ideas for how to make this your safest year on the road by practicing some of the best driving habits that help prevent accidents.
How to Practice Safe Driving Habits and Prevent Accidents
Before you get your driver’s license, you have to take a test and prove you have a basic understanding of the rules of the road. For many of us, this test took place years or even decades ago, and it doesn’t hurt to brush up on the information, especially when moving to a new place. Here are some recommendations on how to practice safe driving habits and help prevent car accidents.
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Did you know that it wasn’t until 1968 that wearing a seat belt while riding in a vehicle became law? That means there are millions of people alive today who spent time riding in cars before seat belts were required. While younger generations might get into the habit of always wearing their seat belt because they’ve never known any different, there are both drivers and passengers for whom this has not become a habit. However, safety reports show time and time again just how important it is to always wear your seat belt. Many car accident injuries could have been avoided if a person was simply wearing their seat belt. Wearing your seat belt is one of the easiest ways to stay safe while on the road. Make sure you wear your seat belt properly, crossing over your shoulder and chest with the lap belt across your waist.
Put Your Phone Down
Cell phones have become a major distraction for drivers all around the world. Some states in the US, like Georgia, have even made driving with your cell phone in your hand against the law. However, just like wearing a seat belt, this hasn’t always been a rule, and many people are not in the habit of keeping their phones out of reach. Thanks to improved technology, many phones can connect to your car and allow you to talk hands-free. You can also check out devices that connect to your dashboard or windshield to hold your phone while you are driving. Distracted driving is one of the main causes of car accidents, so you can help do your part to prevent accidents by putting your phone down and focusing on the road in front of you.
Follow the Speed Limit
It might be tempting to go a little faster when you are in a rush or see wide-open lanes ahead of you. But the faster you are going, the longer it takes to get your car under control and slow down. Speeding is another common reason for car accidents, and yet people do it every day. Following the speed limit allows you to pay better attention to the task at hand, which is getting safely from point A to point B. Speed limits are set based on the conditions of the road, the part of town, and the type of traffic expected on that stretch of road. Cities and states put a lot of planning into determining an appropriate speed limit, and the best thing you can do for yourself and others on the road is to obey the posted signs. It is especially important to follow the speed limit during poor conditions, like rainy weather or when visibility is limited. If you are speeding when it’s raining, your vehicle will have much slower reaction times because of the wet roads.
Obey Traffic Signs and Signals
Remember that traffic signs and stop lights are laws that need to be obeyed to keep everyone safe. We have all seen the driver who runs the red light or drives right past a stop sign without a second glance. Those situations can put others in harm’s way and lead to unnecessary traffic accidents. Drivers tend to get comfortable around places they often drive, which can lead to a false sense of security. You might think you have a chance to make it through an intersection when the light changes from yellow to red, but another car going in the opposite direction could have the same idea and lead to a collision. Obeying all signs and signals is important for everyone to do, and you are not the exception to the rule.
Don’t Drive While Tired
You might be surprised to learn that many car accidents happen because of tired drivers! While you might be tempted to get behind the wheel when you are feeling tired, you actually risk the safety of yourself and your passengers by doing so. When you are tired, your reaction times will become slower, which means it may take you longer to recognize the potential for an accident ahead. You also risk falling asleep behind the wheel. Most people who get into an accident while driving tired are surprised to find that this could happen to them, but it can and does happen.
Don’t Drive Under the Influence
You should never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It doesn’t matter if you are just around the corner from your house or you only had one drink; it is never worth the risk to yourself or others. Driving under the influence significantly impairs your ability to think clearly and make appropriate decisions. Driving under the influence also impairs your reaction time behind the wheel, so you might not have time to react before it’s too late and the accident has already occurred. Many unfortunate and unnecessary car accident injuries occur every day because of people who have chosen to drive under the influence.
When to See a Car Accident Doctor
If you have been in a car wreck, you want to get checked out by a car accident doctor as soon as possible. While you might be tempted to say, “I’m fine!” or think a few aches and pains are no big deal, you could have a hidden injury that requires medical attention. In fact, many car accident injuries have what are known as delayed symptoms, which means you might not recognize you have an injury right away. The shock and stress of getting into a car accident coupled with the adrenaline coursing through your body can prevent you from feeling pain and other obvious signs of injury. A car accident doctor will know how to spot the signs and symptoms of an injury even if you haven’t started experiencing them yourself yet. It is always better to err on the side of caution and get rule out any injuries by seeing a car accident doctor soon after the accident.
Common Car Accident Injuries
If you notice a headache after a car accident, you might be tempted to write it off as caused by getting into a stressful situation. However, a headache could also be a symptom of various car accident injuries. Any aches, pains, stiffness, discomfort, or reduced mobility should get checked out by a car accident doctor. Here are a few examples of common car accident injuries that will require diagnosis and treatment by your Marietta car accident doctor:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Sprains & Strains
- Dislocations
- Fractures
How to Prevent Future Injuries
The best thing you can do to prevent injuries from a car accident is to practice safe driving. While you can’t control others around you, you can control the type of driver you choose to be. When you practice safe driving, like wearing your seat belt and obeying traffic laws, you help prevent the potential for accidents and injuries. If you do get injured in a car accident, you want to get the proper attention and medical treatment right away. You can help prevent future injuries by making sure any injuries you do have get treated properly. Follow through on your treatment plan and follow your doctor’s recommendations so you can experience a full recovery.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, visit AICA Orthopedics in Marietta, GA. Our team of car accident doctors includes orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, neurologists, and physical therapists. We work with car accident victims every day and have the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat a wide range of injuries. With diagnostic tools like X-rays and CT scans available on site, you can get the quality treatment and care you deserve all in one convenient Marietta location.