New Orleans Personal Injury Law Blog

Traffic wrecks occur in all sorts of ways, and some are especially unexpected. For example, someone may rent a limousine to celebrate a wedding, a recent graduation or a prom. While this is supposed to be a memorable time in an unforgettable vehicle, some people find themselves involved in a crash. Sadly, these accidents can prove fatal and they have also caused many victims to sustain injuries. Limousines are often on the road at night, which can be especially dangerous as well.

Whether a limousine driver is operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or they drive too fast in order to get to the destination sooner, the reckless behavior of those who drive limousines for a living can be to blame for some of these accidents. At the same time, even the most responsible limousine drivers may become involved in an accident because another driver is behaving recklessly. For example, someone who is intoxicated due to illegal drugs may collide with a limousine. Another risk factor to consider with regard to these accidents is fatigue. Some limousine drivers become very tired after driving for long periods of time, which can make a wreck more probable.

Aggressive driving behaviors are not only inconsiderate, they also lead to a greater risk of accident and injury. That’s why all motorists should utilize defensive driving tactics, which entail remaining aware of your surroundings at all times and following traffic laws to the letter. Esurance offers a few examples of defensive driving behaviors and how they can benefit you.

Maintain a safe distance

On the road, there are all sorts of hazards that can lead to a fatal crash or seriously injured victims, such as icy roads. However, many wrecks are caused by a person’s carelessness or irresponsible behavior, which includes speeding, getting behind the wheel after drinking and so on. Lane usage is another important aspect of safe driving and sadly, some people fail to use lanes properly. Improper lane usage puts lives at risk, including the lives of those who fail to follow traffic safety guidelines.

There are many examples of improper lane usage. A driver may change lanes abruptly and fail to use their signal, without giving another driver enough time to slow down or even realize that they are switching lanes. Moreover, drivers may fail to give enough space when switching lanes. In fact, some drivers may operate their vehicle in the wrong lane altogether, such as those who are headed in the wrong direction.

Motor vehicle wrecks can occur because of weather conditions, which are completely out of a person’s control, or factors that are fully within a driver’s ability to control, such as excessive speeds and failure to stop. Moreover, some wrecks occur because a vehicle is not maintained properly, whether brakes fail or a tire blows out. Additionally, some people drive around with windshield wipers that are not working properly, and this can be very dangerous.

When windshield wipers are not working properly, a driver may not be able to see very well while it is raining. Decreased visibility can increase the chances of them causing an accident in different ways, whether they do not see a vehicle in front of them, they are not able to see traffic signs or they have trouble staying in their lane. Sometimes, windshield wipers may fail unexpectedly, in which case it is important for drivers to immediately address the situation. If it is raining, staying off of the road until the windshield wipers are working again is very important.