Driving on the highway is an efficient way to get from point A to point B. However, there are also unique risks associated with it, all of which you need to protect against.
Here are some of the most overlooked risks of highway driving:
- Tire blowout: While this can happen on any road, there’s a greater chance on the highway when you’re traveling at a high rate of speed. This is particularly true if your tires are not in good condition.
- Road debris: Think about the last time you were driving on the highway. Did you see any road debris, such as shredded tires, trash and dead animals? Chances are that you did. All of these things are hazards, as they can cause you to make a split-second decision to avoid them.
- Animals: For example, deer are well known to dart into highway traffic without thinking twice. Sometimes, it happens so fast that you can’t avoid an accident. Other times, you’re able to swerve out of the way, but doing so puts you at risk of losing control of your vehicle or striking another car.
These are just some of the risks associated with highway driving. Other things, such as speeding and distracted driving, are every bit as dangerous. Sometimes drivers respond to tire issues and things in the road by swerving into the opposite lane, which can cause a serious accident with an oncoming car.
If someone causes a highway traffic accident that results in injuries, call 911 for help and do your best to remain calm until it arrives. Your priority is your health. You need to know your injuries and how to treat them. From there, you can focus on your legal rights and seeking compensation from the negligent party.