Summer can be a great time to take family vacations and see some of the world. Many families choose to take road trips during the summer because road trips are affordable and can be an easier trip with children. However, because summer road trips often occur at a time when the roads are especially crowded with other travelers, there is a substantial risk of motor vehicle collisions occurring on road trips.
If you or someone you love is in hurt in a motor vehicle collision on a summer road trip, you should reach out to a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer. An attorney can help you to pursue a claim for compensation so you can hold careless drivers accountable for harming you by causing crashes to occur.
You should also make sure to reduce the risk that you’ll become involved in an accident by following some essential safety tips for safe summer trips.
Road Trip Safety Tips
To reduce the risk of an injury or fatality on a summer road trip, some key tips include:
- Giving your vehicle a thorough check-up before departing. You should make sure to check your tire condition and pressure, test your vehicle’s battery, and determine if your car needs an oil change. If it has been a while since your car has been to the mechanic, you may even wish to have a tune-up done to make sure there are no problems. This will help you to avoid a tire blowout that could cause a crash or an expensive vehicle breakdown on the roadside.
- Using appropriate restraints: Make sure all adults are buckled up and that children are securely restrained in a car seat that is appropriate for their height and weight. This is especially important with very young children. If you will be traveling with pets, make sure the animals are also buckled in or are in an appropriate travel crate. An animal could turn into a projectile in the event of an accident. The pet or others in the car could be hurt, and the pet could become lost if an accident occurs.
- Avoid distracted driving: Drivers should refrain from using a smart phone or other electronic devices while driving. If directions must be entered into a GPS, this should be done by a passenger or should be done before the driver starts operating the vehicle. Drivers should also refrain from talking or texting using hands-free devices, as studies have shown that even when your hands are free, these devices can still take your focus away from driving and can cause inattention blindness.
Of course, no matter how careful you are, you could still be hurt or even killed in a road trip if other drivers on the road behave irresponsibly. A Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer can help you to pursue a claim for compensation if you become involved in an accident on a summer road trip or at any other time on the road, so contact an attorney as soon as possible if an accident occurs.
