Many automobile accidents are unavoidable. Bad weather and road obstructions can cause the most careful driver to lose control and collide with another vehicle. However, reckless drivers present a more significant threat on New York roads. Here are some dangerous behaviors and injuries caused by careless drivers.
Reckless driving behaviors
If you see another driver engaging in dangerous maneuvers, put as much distance between the two of you as possible. Here are some risky driving behaviors:
- Weaving between cars
- Tailgating — following too close behind you
- Driving on the shoulder
- Swerving
- Driving without headlights on at night
- Speeding
Swerving drivers are most likely under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fatigued or distracted. They might be the most unpredictable and pose the greatest threat to your well-being. Stay clear.
Injuries
One careless act can result in a personal injury that lasts a lifetime. Nerve damage might leave someone paralyzed, and brain injuries can result in long-term cognitive difficulties. Here are some additional injuries that you might incur in a car accident:
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Whiplash
- Memory loss and confusion
- Anxiety
- Internal bleeding
- Amputation
Seek medical help immediately for apparent damage or if you don’t feel right. Internal bleeding is difficult to detect visually, but it can cause organ failure or death if left untreated.
Seeking compensation
If you can, exchange insurance information with the other driver, request a copy of the police report and take pictures of the accident scene. This information will help you file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Keep a copy of all your medical expenses. If you feel you are not receiving a large enough settlement from the insurance company, consider filing a lawsuit and letting a jury decide what the defendant should pay you.
Drive carefully, and seek medical assistance if you suffer injuries in an automobile accident. Request copies of all pertinent documents that support your claim for compensation.