In Westchester and other South Florida communities, new drivers take drivers’ education classes before getting their license and today many driver education programs focus on defensive driving. It is also possible to take specialized defensive driving classes, either as a new driver or as refresher courses at any time.
Defensive driving training teaches you to drive with a focus on prevention. The goal is to teach drivers to think a few moves ahead, to stay very focused, and to be prepared for the unexpected. Defensive driving also works to reduce the risk of human error and car collisions.
How Does Defensive Driving Help Prevent Car Accidents?
Defensive driving is a style of driving that encourages drivers to stay focused on the road. It can help prevent car accidents in a few ways:
- It reduces distraction: We tend to think of distraction as texting and driving, but one of the most insidious forms of distraction is just inattention. Daydreaming drivers may not be fully aware of what is happening around them, and distracted driving helps prevent this danger by having drivers focus on driving at all times.
- It accounts for other drivers: While you may be a safe driver, other drivers may be distracted, driving under the influence, poorly trained, or just negligent. Distracted driving helps you notice dangerous driving behaviors on the road and adjust your driving so you reduce your risk of an accident, no mater what other drivers are doing.
- It allows for faster response times: Since defensive driving encourages you to stay alert and to predict your next moves, it prepares you in case another driver acts erratically or does something unexpected.
- It can reduce the risk of severe car accidents: Defensive driving cannot stop all accidents. It can reduce the risk of a collision. If a crash does occur, defensive driving allows you to respond fast, which may allow you to take quick steps to reduce the impact and severity of the accident.
What Can I Do If I Have Been in a Car Accident?
Even if you drive defensively, it doesn’t mean other motorists do. And defensive driving is not a guarantee you won’t be in a side-swipe, rear-end shunt, or other type of car crash. If you are in a collision, you will want to:
- Stay calm.
- Call 911 if someone is seriously injured or the situation may be life threatening.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
- Take photos of the scene and jot down any information you can remember.
- Get contact information of any witnesses.
- Move over out of the way if traffic if it is safe to do so.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Get a full medical evaluation as soon as possible after the accident, even if you’re not sure you’ve been injured.
While you are not legally required to do so, you may also want to speak with a Westchester car accident claims attorney as soon as possible after your accident. A car collision can affect your life and finances for years, so it can be useful to discuss whether you have a claim and whether any insurance offers are fair. An attorney can evaluate your injuries and accident, can tell you whether you have a claim, and can help you pursue compensation if you qualify.
If you would like to know whether you qualify for compensation after your car crash, arrange a free accident consultation with Flaxman Law Group. You can call us at 866-352-9626 or contact us online to schedule your no-obligation consultation with our experienced legal team.