Summer is finally on the horizon, and people everywhere are getting ready for fun-filled summer vacations. Keep your summer road trip free of personal injuries by following the tips in our road trip guide so you can focus on what’s most important – having fun! Let’s get started, shall we?

Before You Go

That’s right – there are things you can do to stay safe on your road trip before you even leave your home. Follow this simple checklist before you set off on your trip to help avoid a car accident.

  • Pack emergency essentials to keep in your vehicle such as a roadside emergency kit, first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, extra car fluids, and a phone charger.
  • Check your vehicle’s fluids and top them off as needed.
  • Make sure that your brakes, windshield wipers, headlights, high beams, and turning signals are in working order.
  • Check the tread on your tires as well as the tire pressure.
  • Plan out your stops for gas, food, and rest in advance.

Making sure that your vehicle is functioning properly and bringing the appropriate emergency items with you are extremely important steps to take in order to prevent a car accident.

Check out our free infographic to find out what to do after a car accident here.

On the Road

In 2020 alone, there were 35,766 car accident fatalities on United States roadways. An additional 1,593,390 collisions resulted in severe personal injuries, and 3,621,681 caused property damage. In total, there were 5,250,837 car accidents in 2020. Because there are higher volumes of traffic in the summertime, the risk of getting into a motor vehicle accident becomes higher as well. Follow these safe driving tips to ensure you make it to your destination safely!

  • Although you may be in a rush to make it to your destination, do not speed. About 29% of all fatal car accidents are caused by a speeding driver.
  • Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the United States, with 2,974 fatal accidents caused by distracted drivers in 2020 alone. Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and attention on driving at all times.
  • Maintain a safe following distance between yourself and other vehicles in case of sudden stops or turns.
  • Remember to share the road with commercial trucks and motorcycles! Give them plenty of space on the road and avoid driving in their blind spots.
  • Follow all traffic laws and adjust your driving appropriately when visibility is low.

Don’t Drive Sleep Deprived

Unfortunately, drowsy driving is common during lengthy road trips, especially if the trip takes a few days. However, driving while sleep deprived is incredibly dangerous and can cause severe car accidents and personal injuries. Below are just a few statistics that reveal exactly how dangerous drowsy driving can be.

  • Driving after going 20 hours without adequate sleep is the equivalent of driving with an .08% BAC which is the legal limit.
  • An estimated 328,000 drowsy driving accidents occur every year. About 109,000 of these car accidents result in personal injuries and about 6,400 are fatal.
  • About 1 in every 25 drivers have admitted to falling asleep at the wheel while sleep deprived.

 

If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury in a car accident caused by another driver, don’t deal with the fall out alone. Contact The Pottenger Law Firm as soon as possible to schedule your no-cost initial consultation for free legal advice from an experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer near you. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve to cover all of your personal injury related expenses.