Summer is here and that means many Pennsylvania residents will be hitting the road for vacations. Unfortunately, the increase in travel also increases the risk of accidents that can result in severe injuries or deaths.
The Harrisburg car accident injury attorneys of Schmidt Kramer advise you to follow these road safety tips to stay safe when you are traveling this summer.
If you are involved in a crash caused by negligence, contact us to find out if you have legal options. We take cases on contingency, so there is no fee unless we recover compensation.
Plan Wisely
Take the time to plan your trip before hitting the road. Map out your route to become familiar with roadways as well as travel conditions that could cause delays, such as construction or areas where there is likely to be heavy traffic.
Allow plenty of time to reach your destination so you do not need to do a lot of driving at night and so you do not have to rush, as this could lead to an accident.
Review the weather forecast for the areas you will be driving through so you will be prepared for rain, thunderstorms or other inclement weather that is predicted to occur.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Before you leave, inspect your vehicle to ensure it is safe to drive, including:
- Measuring air pressure in all four tires and your spare and adding air if needed
- Ensuring the treads on your tires are not worn down to an unsafe level (treads should be greater than one-sixteenth of an inch high)
- Replacing worn windshield wiper blades
- Ensuring brake fluid, transmission fluid, oil, power steering fluid, coolant and windshield washer fluids are filled to their proper levels
- Repairing any leaks
- Checking to see that tail lights, head lights and brake lights on your vehicle and anything you are towing are working properly
- Verifying that your air conditioning system is working correctly because traveling without air conditioning in the summer can be dangerous and make you ill
Another element of vehicle preparedness is packing an emergency kit. Yours should contain:
- Cellphone and charger
- First aid kit
- Medications
- Snacks
- Flashlights
- Flares
- Jumper cables
- Tire gauge
- Blankets
- Ponchos
- Water
- Duct tape
Always Wear a Seat Belt
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of lives would be saved each year if everyone wore a seat belt.
Wearing a seat belt is not just a safety issue, it is the law, according to Title 75 Subchapter E of Consolidated Statutes of Pennsylvania.
The law also requires children under four years of age to be securely fastened in a child passenger restraint system. Children between four years old and eight years old must be fastened in a child booster seat. Once a child outgrows the booster seat, he or she should be securely fastened in a seat belt.
Whenever you get in a car this summer, buckle up and make sure everyone else in the vehicle does the same. If an accident occurs, wearing a seat belt could be the difference between life and death.
Practice Defensive Driving
One of the most proactive things you can to do to reduce the risk of a crash is to be a defensive driver. Here are several tips on defensive driving:
- Keep your eyes on the road and watch for hazards at all times.
- Never talk or text on your cellphone while driving.
- Never drive drowsy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Follow all posted traffic signals and signs.
- Use turn signals when changing lanes or turning.
- Do not program GPS systems or radios or eat or drink while driving.
Contact Our Harrisburg Car Accident Injury Attorneys Now
The Harrisburg car accident injury lawyers of Schmidt Kramer are here to assist you if you were injured in a car accident. We will pursue fair compensation for the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering associated with your injury.
Your initial case review is free and you are under no obligation to pursue a lawsuit with our firm. If you have a case and decide to proceed, you will not be charged legal fees unless we achieve a favorable outcome.
Call (717) 888-8888 or complete our Free Case Review form now.