You can’t entirely insulate yourself from the risk of being involved in a car accident. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances that you’ll be involved in a wreck. This includes being a defensive driver. But what does that mean, exactly? How can you engage in appropriately defensive driving behavior? Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to keep yourself safer out on the road.
There are several ways that you can become an effective defensive driver, thereby reducing your chances of being injured in a crash. This includes doing each of the following:
- Maintaining a safe driving distance so that you reduce the risk of rear-ending the car in front of you. Three to four seconds between yourself and the vehicle in front of you should be a minimum following distance.
- Expecting that other drivers will act in an erratic fashion. This will force you to give yourself more room as you drive around others and keep your attention on high.
- Avoiding distractions that can take your eyes off the road and prevent you from identifying dangerous driving situations. This means putting your phone away and always keeping your eyes on the road.
- Obeying the speed limit, since speed is a contributing factor in many accidents.
- Being cognizant of blind spots so that you can position yourself for other drivers to see.
What about when defensive driving isn’t enough?
While defensive driving can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in an accident, it won’t completely eliminate it. So, if, despite your best efforts, you still end up injured in an accident, then you should consider taking legal action in the shape of a personal injury claim. If you’re successful here, then you might be able to recover compensation for the damages that have befallen you.\