There are many steps that you can take to minimize your risk of getting into a car accident while traveling in New Jersey. However, there is no guarantee that you won’t be involved in a collision while going to the store, to work or to school. Take a look at what causes most car wrecks to happen and what you might be able to do to keep yourself safe.
Poor road or weather conditions increase the risk of a car accident
Roads that are covered in ice, snow or other types of debris may be harder to stop on. If you are driving during periods of inclement weather, you may have difficulty seeing more than a few feet in front of your vehicle. An inability to perceive where you are in relation to other cars or trucks may make it difficult to determine a safe speed or following distance. Therefore, your chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident are higher than they might be while driving on a dry road or during periods of maximum visibility.
Impaired driving may increase the odds of a wreck
Driving while impaired makes it harder to maintain a lane, maintain a consistent speed and keep track of what others around you are doing. In some cases, driving while impaired could cause you to fall asleep while your car is moving. The same may also happen if you operate a vehicle while drowsy. In fact, driving a car after staying up for 24 consecutive hours is akin to doing so with a blood alcohol level of 0.10. This is higher than the legal blood alcohol limit in all 50 states.
If you are hurt in a motor vehicle crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and lost wages. You may also be compensated for the cost to repair or replace items that were lost or damaged in the accident. Witness statements, photos from the crash scene and other evidence may be used to establish that another driver caused the wreck to occur.
