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.
