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How can you protect yourself from the increasing fatal car accidents in California?

All you have to do is turn on the local news or glance at one of the East Bay area newspaper sites to be reminded that fatal crashes are far too common. It can seem like no matter how safely you drive, you can’t avoid drivers who aren’t as careful.

By following a few key safety precautions, however, you can be better prepared to avoid a reckless or negligent driver on the road in Hayward or wherever you are. Just an extra second or two to respond can mean the difference between a crash you walk away from and one you don’t.

Watch your speed

Too many drivers take posted speed limits as suggestions. It’s easy to get caught up in the flow of traffic and not realize you’re going far over the posted speed limit.

It only makes sense that a collision where a vehicle is speeding is likely to cause more serious injuries than if they were moving slower. If both vehicles are speeding, the outcome can be even worse.

The force of a collision increases as speed does. Further, vehicles traveling at a high speed take longer to stop because the driver’s reaction and braking time increase with speed. The field of vision also narrows as speed increases. 

Avoid distractions

California has long had laws against using hand-held devices while driving. Phones aren’t the only culprits, however. Choosing a podcast, reaching for your Starbucks cup, turning around to shush the kids or dog and reaching for something on the floor can take your eyes, hands and/or mind off the road.

All these things are forms of distracted driving and can lead to a fatal crash – particularly if you’re on a freeway where everyone’s going 65 miles per hour and faster.

Wear your seatbelt (and make sure everyone is strapped in)

Even though seatbelts have been in cars for many decades now, too many people fail to wear them or to insist that everyone in their vehicle is wearing theirs or that their kids are properly strapped into their safety seats. This simple thing can prevent people from being ejected in a crash – which is how fatalities often occur.

If you have been the victim of a devastating crash or lost a loved one in such a crash, it’s important to get legal guidance from a California professional experienced with serious crashes. This can help you get the maximum possible compensation to which you’re entitled to help you rebuild your life.

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