The holiday season brings with it increased traffic on streets and highways throughout Oklahoma. Sadly, distracted driving, drunk driving and other dangerous behaviors are part of this mix.
While dangers are prevalent, taking a few commonsense precautions can decrease your chances of suffering injuries on the road. A few simple steps you can take include:
- Set distractions aside: That text or phone call can wait till you arrive at your destination. Devote 100 percent of your attention to the road for your own safety and the safety of others. Distracted driving takes many forms, from texting to operating a smartphone to personal grooming.
- Check weather conditions ahead of time: You can avoid many accidents if you simply time your trip according to the weather. There’s no point in driving in snow, ice or heavy rain if you don’t have to.
- Secure child passengers: Buckling children in age-appropriate seats can decrease their risk of injury by up to 80 percent. The safest option may be an infant car seat, a booster seat, or a standard seatbelt, depending upon your child’s age and size.
If you have been injured while driving on the road during the holidays, it is important to get medical treatment as soon as possible. After attending to your personal safety, you may also wish to explore your legal options. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident injury, you may receive compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and other hardships. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you explore your legal options while protecting your rights throughout the process.