New York is one of the most densely populated cities globally, with over 18 million residents. With all these people on the streets of NYC, it’s no wonder that car accidents happen so frequently. However, if you’re looking for a new job opportunity or want to explore New York City on your terms without risking injury, several factors can help you avoid accidents.
What To Do To Prevent Car Accidents?
There are several ways on how to avoid car accidents in New York City. Here are five of the most effective tips to keep you safe while driving around Manhattan:
Driving defensively
Always be aware of your surroundings significantly when changing lanes or turning at intersections. These moves could potentially cause an accident with another vehicle if not done properly and carefully. Also, if you need more time to turn, always give yourself more time than you need.
Drive with headlights on during the day and night
Driving at night is dangerous for both yourself and other drivers. If you’re caught unaware of your surroundings, it could lead to an accident if someone were to suddenly cross into your lane or turn in front of you where you would not be able to stop in time.
Do not drive impaired
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never a good idea, especially when you’re in such an urban environment. You should always have someone else drive for you if necessary and stay within legal limits to avoid accidents that could be deadly.
Maintain your vehicle
Keep up with any required maintenance on your car, so it’s always running at its top performance. Driving a car that needs frequent repairs probably isn’t the best idea while going in NYC, especially if you’re unfamiliar with all of its roads and highways.
Avoid distractions
Whether it be your phone or another person in your vehicle, try to avoid any distractions when on the road. This can help reduce the possibility of an accident.
Besides this, you need to be aware that it is your responsibility to be attentive while driving. Always follow traffic rules and regulations. Otherwise, you might get fined or even go to jail for reckless driving. Have an NYC Personal Injury Lawyer on your speed dial to ensure assistance in case of an accident. You may think you don’t need one until you do.
What To Do If You’re In an Accident?
If you are involved in a car accident, keep calm and follow these steps:
- Call 911 – always call 911 first if you’re involved in an accident.
- Get all relevant information from those involved.
- Get all relevant information from witnesses.
- Take photos of the scene, damages and injuries – take as many pictures as possible to back up your claims.
- Do not admit guilt or accept blame – whether it is true or not, never admit fault or say it is your fault.
- Do not leave until everything has been settled – once law enforcement officers arrive, never leave before speaking with them about what happened and getting their statement of events on record.
- Contact a lawyer with experience and knowledge dealing with personal injury cases so that they can negotiate on your behalf or take it to court if necessary.
Being involved in a collision is already a stressful and frustrating event. If you want to avoid the hassle of legal proceedings, contact an experienced lawyer to help you through the process.
What Are The Most Common Car Collisions?
Car collisions can happen in many different ways, but some occur more often than others. These include:
- Turning collisions – when a vehicle turns left or right into oncoming traffic instead of yielding to the other lane on the road.
- Rear-end collision – rear-ending another car can cause severe damage and injuries if speed is involved.
- Sideswipe – often occurs when a car attempts to change lanes and causes an accident with either the side of another vehicle or simply their door if they are not fast enough in changing lanes.
- Head-on collision – most familiar with two cars coming from opposite directions, head-on collisions can be hazardous for both parties involved.
- Hitting pedestrians – is one of the most severe car collisions. Someone could easily be killed or injured by being hit by a vehicle, especially on busy city streets where people are always walking around.
While speeding, distracted driving, or driving impaired are often the cause of car collisions, there is no way to determine how many accidents occur due to these factors accurately. Therefore, it’s best to ensure you are always driving safely when on the road to avoid any mishaps that could lead to injuries or even fatalities.
Final Words
To avoid being involved in accidents, drivers need to drive carefully and follow traffic rules at all times. This is just one of many tips that could help you stay safe on the road while driving around NYC or other major cities. The last thing any driver wants is getting into an accident. To avoid this, drivers need to stay focused and alert when on the road at all times to prevent accidents from occurring.