Car crashes are scary and can leave you with serious injuries. However, there are many things you can do to prevent accident injuries in the event of a crash.
Even if you don't think that car safety measures will help you avoid an accident, according to Spaulding Injury Law: Atlanta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer, it's still worth doing them for their own sake.
After all, what value do you place on the safety and lives of your passengers, your loved ones, other road users and indeed yourself?
You can also find out how you can help yourself after you're involved in a car crash. However, to prevent injury during a car crash, here are the best ways to do it:
1. Wear A Seatbelt
In the event of a car crash, the safest place you can be is inside your car. When you're riding in a car and another vehicle collides with yours, your body moves forward, backward, and side-to-side. It can be severe, depending on the impact of the crash. In this situation, wearing a seatbelt can help prevent injuries by serving as a cushion.
No doubt, wearing a seatbelt helps protect your head and neck. It doesn't just protect your body from moving forward and backward in a collision, it also helps prevent you from being thrown side to side or outside the vehicle. Thus, it holds your body in place, preventing you from sustaining major injuries during a car crash.
2. Get An Airbag-Equipped Car
Airbags are designed to protect you from injury during a crash. They fill with hot gas, exploding to prevent your body from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield. If you don't have an airbag-equipped car, get one.
If you've already driven an airbag-equipped car, ensure it's working correctly by checking it once a year. This way, you can be extra sure you're safe in case of accidents.
3. Properly Adjust Your Seat
When you're involved in a car crash, the placement of your seat can make or mar you. Adjusting your position can help prevent injury in a car crash. First, you must ensure the car seat isn't too high or too low for you. If it's too high, you'll be more likely to hit your head on the car's roof if there's an accident. If it's too low, your legs may hit the dashboard or steering wheel if there's an accident.
Second, you must ensure enough space between your seat and the pedals. If there isn't enough space, you could get trapped under the pedals if there was an accident, and they would come off of their hinges during impact. Adjusting your seat correctly is a safety precaution that should be prioritized.
4. Avoid Distractions
The first step in preventing injury in a car crash is to be aware of your surroundings. It means not talking on the phone, texting, or messing with makeup while driving. These actions will distract you from watching the road and make it more difficult for you to react quickly.
You should also avoid eating while driving, as this can cause crumbs and food particles to fly into your eyes if there's sudden braking or acceleration. If you do find yourself involved in a car crash, despite taking all the preventive measures, seeking legal advice from an experienced auto accident attorney is critical. They can guide you through the often complex legal processes, ensuring your rights are protected and helping you receive the compensation you deserve for any injuries or damages.
5. Drive The Speed Limit
If you're driving at a speed that's unsafe for the conditions, you're more likely to get into an accident.
In most states, the speed limit is set by law as an appropriate rate of travel for safe operation under normal conditions. It also lets other drivers know what to expect from traffic on that highway or street. If everyone drove at or below the posted speed limit, you could all have a safer ride.
6. Adjust The Steering Wheel Distance
To prevent internal injuries during a car accident, the steering wheel must be at least 10 inches away from your chest. If the steering wheel isn't adjusted correctly, it can hit your chest and cause severe damage.
The best way to ensure you're safe in this situation is by adequately adjusting your car's seat, mirrors, and steering wheel distance. Adjusting these settings may seem like a lot of work at first, but it'll be worth it if an accident occurs.
7. Maintain Your Vehicle
When you're in a car crash, the first thing that happens is that your vehicle's safety systems are put to the test. And if you're not doing routine maintenance on your car, those systems may not work as well as they should during an accident.
That's why it's so important to get regular tune-ups and oil changes for your car; not only does it keep your engine running smoothly, but it also helps ensure that all of the safety features in your vehicle are working at their best. This way, you can ensure you're safe on the road to avoid sustaining injuries from fatal car accidents.
Conclusion
In summary, the best way to prevent injury in a car crash is to drive safely. Pay attention, stay within the speed limit, wear your seatbelt and adjust your seat correctly. Also, be sure that your car has all of its regular maintenance done on time to perform better in an accident.
