With all of the increases in technology (cars can park — and drive! — themselves!), one might think that our roads have become a safer place for us to travel on. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Auto accidents are on the rise and if you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Woodland Hills that was not your fault, know that California law is on your side.
This isn’t just a local problem. Roadway deaths have been spiking sharply upward across the country. In fact, the National Safety Council recently shared that U.S. traffic fatalities have “increased every month for six straight months.” National traffic-related deaths through the first quarter of 2015 are up by a whopping 11% over the same four-month period in 2014. Scary, especially if you have teens or new drivers on the road. Teen drivers are particularly at risk for being involved in auto accidents for a variety of reasons, including their lack of experience and tendency to be more distracted while driving.
Why the increase in auto accidents?
So why are truck, auto, and motorcycle accidents on the rise? It seems that the increasingly powerful engines in our modern cars are overriding many safety features and high-tech vehicle enhancements. Greater horsepower is not completely to blame, however, as the National Safety Council reported that cellphone use while behind the wheel was a contributing factor in more than one-quarter of all vehicle crashes. We have discussed the perils of texting and driving at length on this blog, for more frightening statistics on what happens when drivers text and/or chat on their smartphones while behind the wheel.
How can drivers stay safe?
It is more necessary than ever for drivers in Woodland Hills to drive defensively. Defensive driving tactics include:
- staying alert
- staying focusing
- cutting out distractions
- watching out for other drivers
- keep your speed down
- maintain a 3-4 second distance between your car and the car in front of you
This list is not exhaustive. It is important that you know that sometimes, no matter how safely you are driving, accidents happen beyond your control. If you or a loved one were injured in such an accident, where you were the victim of a negligent or distracted driver, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about your legal rights and potential for financial recovery.
For more information on how to recover compensation for an accident that was not your fault, contact Woodland Hills accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
