In the United States, roadway crashes are a major cause of injuries and deaths. The saddest part about this fact is that most of the accidents that happen every year are caused by human error. While “to err may be human,” (Alexander Pope, “Essay on Criticism”) it does not mean that all errors are unavoidable. Many errors, especially in mental judgment, are preventable. While it is impossible to avoid all accidents, there are things that every motorist can do to reduce their risk of being involved in an accident. One of the most important things any motorist can do is to examine their driving behavior and ask themselves, “what if anything am I doing to put myself and others at risk?” To help answer that question, answer the following questions:
- Do you engage in aggressive driving behaviors?
Aggressive driving puts not only the driver at risk but everyone else on the road with him or her as well. Research done by the AAA Foundation found that more than half of fatal car crashes between 2003 and 2007, involved at least one driver who performed a potentially aggressive action. Common aggressive driving behaviors include tailgating, weaving in and out of lanes, failing to signal when changing lanes, running red lights, speeding in heavy traffic, and blowing the horn repeatedly.
- Do you drive distracted?
Every year, about 421,000 people are injured in crashes that involve a distracted driver. When a motorist is behind the wheel, his or her sole focus must be on driving. Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes, mind, or hands from the task of driving is considered a distracting behavior. Texting and cell phone usage are the most common forms of distracted driving and often two of the most accident causing since they involve a driver’s hands, eyes, and mind. Not only do these types of behaviors take the driver’s attention from the road, but they also tend to annoy other drivers. A distracted driver can prompt another driver to act aggressively, putting the distracted driver in additional danger.
- Have you ever succumbed to road rage?
Extreme aggressive behavior is also known as “road rage.” Road rage is always unsafe as it an act that is performed with purpose or disregard for safety. Acts of road rage can include trying to run another vehicle off the road, verbally assaulting another driver, throwing objects at another vehicle, and ramming into another vehicle. If you have either acted in this manner or engaged aggressively with a driver who was exhibiting road rage, you have put yourself, not to mention others on the road at great risk. It is important to keep calm and never engage when another driver acts aggressively. Remember, your actions while driving can and do impact the drivers around you.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in an auto accident the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our team of seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will work hard to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injured victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can work for you, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we look forward to providing injury victims with exceptional legal services.