The Barnes Firm

Top 8 Ways to Prevent an Injury in a Car Crash

• February 19, 2020
• Sandy

Millions of car accidents take place each year in the United States taking tens of thousands of lives. Unfortunately, no matter how many safety features automakers are adding to their cars, driving and riding in a car will always carry some level of risk of injury or death.

Some of the best Los Angeles car accident lawyers estimate that nearly a half-million car crashes happened in the state of California last year alone. Considering how common accidents are, it’s likely nearly all drivers and passengers have experienced or will experience at least one crash in their lifetime. Drivers and passengers can significantly reduce their risk of sustaining an injury in these events by following these tips.

How to Avoid Injuries in a Car Accident

Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Vehicle

Many car crashes in California are exacerbated by vehicles that are in poor shape. If you drive regularly, you should also perform regular maintenance on your car. Some of the most important components of vehicle maintenance you shouldn’t overlook are:

• Regular oil changes
• Regulating tire pressure
• Rotating tires
• Checking battery life
• Replacing worn-down brake pads
• Replacing wiper blades
• Replacing the air filter
• Replacing old spark plugs

Adjust your Seat

Your car seat should be as far away from the airbags as possible, even if you’re driving. Drivers should sit as far away from the airbags as possible while being able to comfortably reach the pedals and steering wheel. Car accident lawyers in Los Angeles say the reason to distance yourself from the airbags is to avoid an airbag injury. While these safety devices protect bodies from being thrown around in a forceful collision, they exert a lot of force themselves, which can result in burns and injuries.

Wear Your Seatbelt

No matter how far you’re going or where you’re sitting in the car, it’s the law to wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives in high-speed crashes and are one of the main ways to avoid sustaining a severe injury in a car accident.

When putting your seatbelt on, a Los Angeles car accident lawyer says you need to make sure that it fits snugly and that it is not twisted. Adjust the lap portion of the belt so that it sits across your hips. This will help the pelvic bone absorb the impact of the crash, averting or minimizing internal injuries.

Sit Upright

Good posture is important when sitting in a car. When you sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor, the vehicle’s safety features will serve you better if you’re involved in a crash. This is because vehicle safety features, such as airbags and seatbelts, are designed around a driver or passenger sitting upright. Therefore, these features will best protect people who are sitting correctly and thus those people will sustain fewer or less severe injuries than those who do not sit properly.

Adjust the Steering Wheel

Drivers should make sure the steering wheel is properly situated before starting the engine. Car accident lawyers in Los Angeles say the steering wheel should point toward the driver’s chest instead of the face. Most steering wheels house airbags that work best when they point toward the chest.

Drive Sober

You might be familiar with the “Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over” public service campaign. It’s imperative to heed this warning. Alcohol consumption impairs a driver’s ability to drive safely, even after modest consumption.

Drive at the Posted Speed Limit

Millions of accidents each year are caused by speeding. In 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all fatal crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Speeding is a type of aggressive behavior which increases the risk of an accident, particularly when other drivers are traveling at lesser speeds.

Pay Attention to the Road

The best way to avoid injuries is to avoid a crash in the first place. The more aware you are of your surroundings and the actions of other drivers, the less likely it is that you will become involved in a crash. If you are distracted behind the wheel by a cell phone, the radio, or even discussions with passengers, you put yourself and others in harm’s way.

No car accident is 100% preventable. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in Los Angeles, contact the experienced and compassionate attorneys at The Barnes Firm. Our team of established car accident lawyers in Los Angeles will fight for the results you deserve in your personal injury case. The best part is, The Barnes Firm doesn’t take fees unless they win financial compensation for you or your family. Contact our firm at any time for a free consultation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000