10 Safe Driving Tips For Drivers During Labor Day Weekend
Summer in Florida is drawing to a close, and most people are all but through with their summer vacations. However, in the state’s most popular vacation cities–such as Miami, Sarasota, and Orlando–summer never really comes to a close. With the Labor Day celebrations just around the corner, if you plan on squeezing in one more family road trip before the school year is in full swing, we have a few tips you may want to think about before hitting the open road.
In the last-minute rush for the long weekend of traveling, the number of traffic accidents reported on the roads is also expected to increase as it always does at this time of year. Therefore, it is in your best interest as a motorist to know how to protect yourself from such incidents and also how to deal with them in the event you find yourself victim to a car accident. To help you have a pleasant and safe holiday, follow these ten safety tips for Florida drivers during the Labor Day weekend.
Preventing accidents:
- Before a long drive, always make sure to get a good night’s rest and be sure to eat something before heading out. Guzzling highly caffeinated drinks like coffee and energy drinks isn’t the best way to stay awake and alert. Those drinks tend to make you “crash” and begin to feel even more sluggish than before.
2. Plan your route in advance. Take the time to plan out what time you plan on leaving and what stops to make along the way. Identifying safe rest areas will help you avoid any confusion on the road about which route to take and will make for a less distracted drive and a more efficient ride.
3. Avoid speeding. With so many people on the road during the Labor Day weekend, it is hard to know when an unexpected obstacle may come your way. Driving slowly gives you a better chance of stopping or maneuvering around the obstruction in time to avoid an accident.
4. If you need to pull over for whatever reason, do not park on the shoulder or in the breakdown lane unless it is an absolute emergency. Instead, move your vehicle off the highway completely. Many fatal traffic accidents involve people getting hit by other drivers while standing in those areas, whether they are trying to help another stranded driver or changing a flat tire. Avoid doing so in those unsafe areas at all costs.
5. Consider becoming a member of a roadside assistance program like AAA. If your car breaks down on the highway, you will want to remove it immediately. You will feel like a sitting duck in a heavy traffic area with cars whizzing past. Highway road rangers can also offer quick assistance in those situations.
Dealing with car accident Claims
Your best efforts might not always be enough to prevent an accident, and many people are unaware of some mistakes you can make while dealing with a car accident. We urge you to follow these five tips:
- Make sure no one involved in the accident was injured. If so, call and wait for assistance from the police. Call 911 or, if there are no serious injuries, call a police non-emergency line immediately after the accident and do not leave the scene of the accident until the police arrive and take your statement.
- Do not discuss fault. Even a statement such as “I’m sorry” can be used against you as an admission of fault. Explain what happened to the officer and let the authorities or an experienced car accident attorney determine who is at fault.
- Do not settle on the road. Most drivers deemed to be on the wrong side of a car accident will try to convince you to settle the matter without involving the authorities. However, they might later change their stories, so make formal settlements only under the direction of an experienced Miami car accident attorney.
- Collect evidence. Try to take pictures of the accident scene on your phone or camera as they could prove very useful if the matter ends up in court.
- Contact a Miami car accident attorney immediately. After you file a claim with your auto insurance company, they will be contacting you to get your recorded statement, your authorization for release of medical records, and so on. A personal injury attorney specializing in auto accidents can also work to help you with the process of collecting compensation for medical bills and damage to your vehicle.
Contacting a Miami Car Accident Attorney
Our Miami car accident attorneys are dedicated to the representation of those injured in car, bus, motorcycle and truck accidents. The insurance companies have strong and experienced adjusters to assist them in handling your claim. You should never attempt to negotiate your claim without first consulting with an attorney. Our lawyers are ready to help you in handling your claim across the State of Florida. We provide free consultations and we are available to speak or meet with you at your hospital or home. Give our office a call at 1-866-597-4529 or 305-441-0440 or email us at [email protected], our team is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
