Since the 1960s car accidents have been steadily declining with legislative measures meant to protect drivers, passengers, and consumers of vehicles. But collisions haven’t been eradicated. While car accidents in 2020 have decreased due to working from home or businesses being closed, as more people get back on the road the chances of a collision increase again. 

The first cause of major collisions is not obeying traffic laws. What’s important to remember about these accidents is that almost all of them are preventable if drivers and others involved just follow the rules. You should always wear a seatbelt, never let anyone with a suspended or restricted license borrow or drive your car, and be mindful that neighborhoods can have four-way or two-way stops. Not obeying the laws, especially in areas with pedestrians and bikers, can lead to property damage, injury, and even death.

Drunk drivers killed at least 30 people a day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration before many areas experienced lockdowns and bar/club closures. Most states consider a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) higher than .08 to be grounds to arrest someone. The problem with alcohol is that it makes the drinker feel like they’re fine, but they can’t observe themselves objectively at the moment. Drunk drivers often make wide turns, drive on the shoulder, or drive either too fast or too slowly without even realizing it. They may have difficulty turning their head properly to check for other cars before changing lanes. Poor motor skills combined with a lack of self-awareness makes drunk driving one of the most fatal decisions a person can make. 

Waiting until your car is stopped and turned off before sending a text can save your life, too. Never text behind the wheel. Before hitting the road with a GPS, set it so directions are spoken to you so you don’t have to read your phone while driving.

Experts agree that if at all possible, don’t drive in bad weather, as it is one of the most common causes of collisions. Even if you have a top-notch anti-lock braking system in your car, you can still become the victim of an accident if you hit an icy patch, a large puddle of water that prevents your tires from gripping the road, or are unable to see an obstruction or pedestrian because of thick fog. If you absolutely must go driving then go slowly. Remember that the point of driving isn’t to race, it’s to travel somewhere, so if you need to go out then leave an extra 15-20 minutes early so you can drive slower and more carefully. 

Keeping your vehicle regularly maintained can actually increase the safety of your vehicle since defective vehicles are one of the top causes of collisions. If your fog lights aren’t working, for example, or if you have a tail light out, then other drivers won’t be able to see you. Bald tires or improper tire pressure can cause tires to blow out while you are driving on the highway or even neighborhood streets at low speeds, so if your tires are looking smooth then you want to get them replaced right away. Besides, getting your vehicle regularly maintained is a great way to help you save money by protecting your vehicle.

According to lawyer Paul Grossman, after you’ve been in an accident, one of the most important steps you should take is to talk to an attorney who specializes in car accident claims.