When you get behind the wheel of a car or other vehicle, you should always handle it responsibly. A car, truck, or motorcycle isn’t a toy and can hurt you or someone else when you drive irresponsibly. As any auto injury lawyer will tell you, many of these accidents could be prevented if it weren’t for driver negligence. Here are several ways such negligence can influence accidents.

1. Using Cellphones

The rise of cell phones has made communication easier and faster than ever before. However, that doesn’t mean you should take a call or text while driving. Driving should involve your complete focus on how you steer the wheel and what’s going on the road. When you’re too busy sending memes, answering texts, or talking on the phone, it’s too easy to be distracted and hit another car or not notice a pedestrian about to cross the street.

2. Eating

You may get hungry on the road. If that happens, it may be best to pull over and have a snack in your car or go into a restaurant. Both hands should be on the car wheel, which is hard to do with food in your hand. Avoid any potential accidents by simply eating at the right time.

3. Not Yielding to Pedestrians

No matter if you live in a city or a rural area, it’s important to always keep an eye out for crossing pedestrians. In most cases, pedestrians have the right of way. That’s why you should always slow down when you come to a crosswalk. If you don’t yield to pedestrians, you can end up hitting them and causing a serious injury or fatality. As a general rule, always give those on foot plenty of space.

4. Running Lights

The last thing you should do is run a red light or try to beat it. When you see green, you can go. Even with yellow, you must be careful because it means the light is about to turn red soon. When you run a red light, it’s too easy for you to crash into a car that’s coming in the opposite lane that’s allowed to go on green. Remember, those lights are there for a reason, to ensure that drivers don’t crash into each other when they cross paths.

5. Tailgating Drivers

Tailgating may be fun when it comes to having a party outside of a football stadium with friends and family. However, tailgating in terms of traffic is more than a slight annoyance as it can easily lead to a collision. Drivers should always stay within several feet back from the car in front of them. If you’re driving too close to the car, you may end up crashing into them from behind if they have to stop suddenly. The general rule of thumb is to maintain at least a three-second following distance, according to SafeLight. However, during inclement weather such as rain or snow, you may want to increase that distance even further.

6. Speeding

As you know, there’s a speed limit that all drivers should pay attention to. That speed limit can change based on the city or state that you’re in. You must slow down when you’re in certain areas such as school zones and residential areas. The faster you’re driving, the easier it is to get into a collision with another car or a pedestrian. After all, you can lose control of the car, and it may be hard to react in time. According to DWS Law, serious injuries are much more likely to occur in accidents that happen due to speeding.

7. Not Using Turn Signals

The other drivers aren’t mind readers, so they don’t automatically know when you’re going to make a left or right turn unless you indicate it. You’re supposed to use a turn signal when you approach an intersection, change lanes, turn left, or turn right. Otherwise, you mislead drivers into thinking you’ll continue to drive straight ahead. They need to hold back and let you turn.

Car accidents cause so many fatalities and injuries worldwide. According to the ASIRT, auto accidents are the top cause of death for Americans aged one all the way up to 54. That’s why you should use every precaution whenever you get behind the wheel of a car. Being a cautious and responsible driver helps you and others stay safe. If you or someone you love is the victim of such an accident, contact our team at the Law Offices of Burton & Beale for an experienced auto injury lawyer today.