While many people use the warmer weather and extended hours of daylight to pack up the car and hit the road, car accidents are a problem in the summer. Reports from AAA indicate that teenagers are especially at risk for experience a car accident. They note that car accidents increase dramatically in the 100 days following Memorial Day weekend. Even if you aren’t traveling with a teenage driver, it is important to proactively practice driving with extra caution in the summer. Especially since school is out and there will be more inexperienced drivers on the road during this time.
Precautions to take before a road trip
You’ve probably put a bit of thought into your packing list, downloaded podcasts, and put together an assortment of road snacks. Have you given the same attention to your trip planning? Before taking a long road trip, it’s important to take certain precautions.
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Double check your insurance coverage – make sure that it is up to date and includes everything you’d want to be covered. Typically, you’ll want more than just liability coverage if you’re traveling a long distance.
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Decide who will be driving – Planning out who will drive and for how long can help avoid delays on the road trip. Additionally, you can make sure every driver understands the route and feels comforting switching out when they are tired.
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Take your car in for a check-up at the auto mechanic – do you know when you last had an oil change? Are your brakes due for a tune-up?
Avoid Dangerous and Distracted Drivers
One of the most important ways to stay safe on the long drive is to know how to recognize and avoid dangerous drivers. Distracted drivers, or people who are constantly looking at their cell phone, changing the music, reading a map, or eating in the car are dangerous drivers. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, and it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of these dangerous drivers. Here are a few signs to watch out for when you’re on your road trip:
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Someone who isn’t keeping up with the flow of traffic – they are either driving much too slow or speeding above the limit.
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A driver who is constantly swerving in and out of their lane
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Someone who makes abrupt and unnecessary lane changes
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A driver who seems to brake randomly and for no reason
Contact a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you were riding in a car with has experienced a car accident, it’s important to understand the full extent of your rights. The attorneys at Leighton, Drapeau & Katz have been serving clients in Connecticut for over three decades and we are dedicated to helping those who have suffered the impact of a car accident. Call us today at 860-875-7000 to schedule a free consultation where we will review the details of your case. You can also contact us online. We are ready to help you take the first steps towards requesting financial compensation for your damages.
