Car Safety Checks You Should Perform to Prevent Auto Accidents
Most people rely on their cars to get around and put a lot of trust in their vehicles and other drivers to maintain road safety. While it’s not always possible to avoid accidents, is there anything drivers can do to make sure they’re being as safe as possible and avoiding accidents.
Absolutely. Preventing car accidents before they happen can be as simple as learning techniques and planning routine auto checks. Easy mistakes can lead to serious accidents, injuries, and even the death of you or a loved one, which is why we recommend keeping the following auto check tips in mind every time you step behind the wheel.
What Routine Auto Checks Should You Perform to Stay Safe?
Wondering what auto check essentials are? We recommend monitoring the following every few months.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
If you’re a car owner, you should have car insurance. In 47 states, an insurance policy is a requirement, and in most states, it’s necessary to prove you can cover damages should you need to. These types of damages can include:
- Property
- Personal injury
- Medical bills
- And more
Check Your Fuel Level
The fuel that runs your car can either lead to smooth journeys or hazardous road conditions. You should always be aware of how much gasoline you have in your car. Driving on a busy freeway with low fuel could cause a dangerous accident, so always check your gas levels before leaving and pull over if necessary to avoid sudden stops in lanes.
It’s also important to check the amount of oil your car has. Oil keeps your car lubricated and prevents friction since friction and heat can cause the vehicle to stop at any moment, which could be dangerous and cause an accident.
Check Your Tires
There are three checks you should frequently make on your tires:
- General wear and tear
- Tire pressure
- Rotation
Having your tires underinflated can cause blowouts and is a major cause of accidents across the US. If you don’t know your ideal tire pressure, you can find the details inside your driver’s door on a sticker.
A tire’s age can also lead to accidents. Every tire must have between ten and twelve numbers for their Department of Transportation number. You should also be sure to check the tread level is weather appropriate for the journey you intend to make.
Check Your Mirrors
Clear vision is a given for driving safely. Of course, you should always make sure your windshield is clean and clear, so you can see in front of you, but you should do the same with all your mirrors too. Every mirror should be adjusted to your height so you can see clearly and always be aware of what is beside and behind you at all times and in front.
Remember that mirrors have blind spots, so always perform a blind spot check when moving off or changing lanes.
Check Your Lights
It’s important to check that your headlights work regularly and any warning lights on your dashboard. For example, if you have a warning light concerning an airbag, this might mean the airbag does not deploy in an emergency and could be fatal in a car accident.
Always Wear Seat Belts
Be sure to wear your safety belt every time you drive somewhere and be sure any children are safely secured, also.
Drive Safely
Driving safely doesn’t just mean following traffic laws. It also includes not driving when tired, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These conditions can affect your reflexes and bring serious consequences.
If You or a Loved One Have Been Injured in a Car Wreck In West Houston, Call Auto Accident Attorney Joe Stephens Now.
If you’ve been injured by the negligence of another driver, you could hire any car accident law firm, or you can hire a good vehicle collision attorney in West Houston. Joe Stephens has been defending injury victims in Texas for over 3 decades from negligent individuals, companies, and greedy insurance companies. As an experienced vehicle crash lawyer in Katy, TX, Joe handles all cases personally, and his staff is always available to answer questions.
Auto checks are guaranteed to prevent accidents. However, some collisions are unavoidable and not your fault. If you’ve been in an accident and an insurance provider refuses to compensate you for damages and injury, you need our help. Contact Joe Stephens today to prove driver negligence wasn’t a factor in your accident.
The Stephens Law Firm, Car Accident Lawyers handles auto accident lawsuits across Texas, including these Houston cities.