June, July and August are among the deadliest months for drivers in Indiana and throughout the U.S. In 2018, for example, there were 9,050 fatal motor vehicle crashes during those three months, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers can prepare for summer, though, with the following tips and, thereby, reduce their risk for a crash and other incidents.
Their vehicle should be well-maintained. Drivers can check the battery, change the oil, rotate the tires and, if they don’t know the car’s service history, have a professional provide a checkup. They should also search the NHTSA website to see if their vehicle has been subject to any recalls.
AC performance is all-important in the summer. Heat can be especially harmful to children and the elderly. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, so children are more liable to suffer heatstroke. Never leave them alone in a car even if the window is down and the outside temperature is in the 80s.
Drivers must be thorough when preparing for long road trips. They should check weather and road conditions beforehand and leave plenty of time for arriving; that way, they don’t rush and become negligent. The vehicle should be equipped with basic tools, a flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit.
Not all car accidents are preventable as other drivers may act with utter disregard for one’s safety. When these occur, the injured parties who were not at fault may pursue a claim against the guilty driver’s auto insurance company. If successful, they could be covered for economic damages like medical bills as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Speaking with a lawyer, victims may learn how much they might be eligible for under Indiana’s 51% fault system.
