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Important safety tips for driving in a traffic jam

On Behalf of | Apr 15, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Being stuck in a traffic jam isn’t a pleasant experience, but it is one that you should plan for before you’re involved in one. On average, a person in the United States spends about 54 hours extra in their vehicles each year because of congestion on the road. If you’re in this position, remember that you can take steps to help keep yourself safe.

One of the most important things to remember is to avoid becoming distracted. You don’t know how traffic is going to vary so you need to watch what’s going on around you. This isn’t the time to catch up on texts or emails.

You need to ensure that you aren’t being aggressive as you drive. Instead, choose a lane and stick to it until you’re ready to get off the roadway. Weaving between lanes can cause considerable troubles. If you do need to change lanes, use your turn signal so others around you know your intention.

Try not to slam on your brakes. You may make it difficult for a vehicle behind you to stop in time if you brake suddenly. Leaving at least three seconds of space between you and the car in front of you can help to prevent you from having to stop abruptly.

If you are struck during a traffic jam, you’ll treat the crash the same as you would any other time. If you’re injured, be sure to get medical care. You may choose to pursue a claim for compensation to help defray the costs of the crash. In this case, you’ll need to determine who to name as a defendant because there’s a chance that the answer will be more than just the negligent driver.

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