Did you know that drowsiness accounts for 17% of all driving fatalities? With that in mind, knowing what types of road hazards to look out for can ensure you and your family's safety. On top of that, if you do find yourself involved in an automobile accident, you’ll want to know where to quickly turn for proper representation.
When you hire an accident or injury attorney, you want to make sure your case is handled with experienced and professional care. Regardless of the type of accident, an accident attorney will have the right tools and knowledge to not only legally protect you, but save you time and money in the long run.
Here are some common types of road hazards to look out for:
- Agricultural Machinery and Vehicles
- Cyclists
- Large and Small Animals
- Large Trucks and Vans
- Pedestrians
Agricultural Hazards
If you’ve ever been on the highway and noticed a large truck carrying pigs or cows, then you’ve likely seen a piece of agricultural equipment. Agricultural equipment tends to be large, heavy, slow- moving, and wide. These live cargo carrying vehicles may not be equipped with driving lights, creating an additional hazard near dusk and dawn for other drivers on the road. And, if you live in a farming area, livestock can also become a driving hazard.
As a good rule of thumb, treat agricultural equipment the same as you would a semi truck, and be sure to slow down when you approach farmland.
Cyclists
Another road hazard to be on the lookout for are cyclists. A bicycle is considered a vehicle on the roadway and has exactly the same rights as any other motorized car. Bicycling is one of the most popular recreational activities in the world, and annually thousands of cyclists die on roadways.
Be sure to give cyclists plenty of room, and keep an eye out for them, especially at night or near public parks and residential neighborhoods. The same goes for motorcyclists and scooters.
Large (and Small) Animals
Depending on your geographical location, accidents involving animals can occur. From deer to moose or bears, keeping an eye out for larger wild life is always important when on the roads.
Be sure to brake or slow down for these large animals as swerving can confuse the animal, creating a worse collision. Pay close attention to animal crossing signs, obey the speed limit and keep a close watch for large animals around dusk and at dawn.
Large Trucks
Just like with agricultural equipment, you are bound to share the road with large semi-trucks and tractor trailers. These trucks can create massive collisions on the road if involved in an accident. However, these can be avoided if you learn to pay close attention to extraneous hazards while driving and give them the space and respect they need.
When truck drivers can’t see you, the possibility of a collision is greatly increased. With this in mind, try to stay out of their blind spots and make it possible for them to see you. Avoid following too closely, and position your vehicle so the truck driver can see it in his or her side mirrors.
If you can not see the truck driver in the truck’s mirror, the truck driver can not see you.
Pedestrians
When on the road, especially in more residential areas, pedestrians are a big hazard to be on the lookout for. A recent study concluded that on average 610 pedestrians are killed on U.S. Interstate highways annually.
While it is suggested pedestrians walking at night wear reflective, light-colored clothing, many may not remember to do so. In order to avoid a pedestrian collision and potential death, be sure to pay close attention to the roads at night and look out for anyone who appears to be on a night run or walk.
Let the Professionals Handle it
In cases such as these, it’s best to connect with a local injury or accident attorney to assess your options and move forward with your claim. In the long-run, you’ll save yourself time and money by letting the professionals handle your injury case.
Bart Durham Injury Law represents victims of various personal accidents to get them the compensation they deserve. Do you or a loved one need to make an accident claim? Don’t go through this alone, give our expert team a call or chat online, 24/7.
