Tips to Avoid Being Hurt In A DUI Accident

Like virtually all motorists in the United States, you probably don’t need to be told that operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated puts both your life and the lives of others at risk. Thus, you responsibly take steps to avoid causing an accident by making sure you never drive drunk.

However, even if you’re a smart driver, you can’t control others’ decisions. The fact that you don’t drive while intoxicated doesn’t mean you’ll never have to share the road with drunk drivers.

Being harmed in a motor vehicle accident resulting from another party’s negligence can have a devastating impact on your life. Steps you can take to minimize your chances of being injured in a collision caused by a drunk driver include the following:

Not driving on holidays

It’s not always possible to avoid driving on holidays. If you’re visiting family or friends, you might have to drive to do so.

That said, it’s worth noting that drunk driving accidents tend to be more common on holidays when people may be inclined to drink. Thus, if you can limit your driving on these days, strive to do so.

Not driving during certain hours

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that most drunk driving accidents occur between the hours of midnight and 3:00 AM. This may not come as a surprise. It is during these hours when drivers who have been drinking at bars, parties, concerts, and other such locations may be driving home.

Whenever possible, try not to drive during these times of the day. Exercise caution when you must do so.

Knowing the signs of drunk driving

Familiarizing yourself with the signs that a motorist is intoxicated can help you determine when you should put distance between yourself and a nearby driver. Signs to be on the lookout for include:

• Tailgating
• Failure to maintain a lane
• Sudden braking or accelerating
• Coming close to striking a curb or object
• Not using headlights at night or in low-light conditions
• Usage of a car horn for no observable reason
• Slow response to changing traffic lights
• Signaling turns but not taking them, or turning in the opposite direction of a signal
• Driving more than 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit
• Making illegal turns
• Driving on any surface other than a legal road, parking lot, or driveway

Keep an eye out for these behaviors in drivers with whom you’re sharing the road. Stay away from any drivers who you believe may be drunk, and strongly consider getting in touch with the police to report an intoxicated driver.

Just remember, even if you exercise caution and apply the suggestions here, it’s possible you’ll one day be involved in an accident with a drunk motorist through no fault of your own. This can leave you with injuries requiring costly medical treatment. Your injuries might also cause you to struggle with pain, lost wages, and a range of other unexpected difficulties.

Has this already happened to you or a loved one? You deserve financial compensation if so. At Dan Doyle Law Group, a Philadelphia DUI accident attorney is prepared to help you pursue what you may be owed. Learn more by contacting our firm online or calling us at 215-987-3730.