The state of Florida prohibits motorists from operating their vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, you are discouraged from driving if you are too tired to do so. Let’s take a look at some other safety tips that can minimize your risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Maintain a safe following distance
Ideally, you will stay at least 250 feet behind any vehicle that you share a lane with while driving on a highway. This will likely provide you with adequate room to stop, slow down or take other evasive actions without causing an accident. It may be a good idea to increase your following distance even more during periods of inclement weather.
Minimize potential distractions
Anything that takes your focus off of the road can be classified as a distraction, and common distractions include eating, drinking or talking with passengers. Using your phone while your car is in motion may significantly increase your risk of getting into a car accident because it can cause visual, cognitive and manual distractions at the same time. Generally speaking, you should keep your phone out of reach while driving unless you’re using it to provide directions to your destination. It’s also important to note that a phone can still serve as a distraction even if it’s being controlled with your voice.
If you are hurt in a car accident caused by a drunk, distracted or fatigued driver, you might be entitled to compensation. An attorney may help you obtain money to pay medical bills, recoup lost earnings or obtain lost future earnings in a negotiated settlement. Your lawyer may use witness statements, driver statements or a toxicology report to show that the crash was the result of another person’s negligent behavior.