Ten Ways to Prevent Car Accidents in West Palm Beach

In 2009, 2,558 people were killed in 2,369 fatal Florida car crashes. How can you avoid becoming a West Palm Beach car crash injury statistic? Follow these tips from Craig Goldenfarb, an accident attorney in West Palm Beach.

1. Never drink and drive. More than one-third of fatal Florida car crashes involve alcohol.
2. Don't drive while distracted. Twenty percent of crashes are attributed to distracted driving. Eighteen percent of fatal distracted driving crashes involve cell phone use.
3. Keep your car in good operating condition. Poor maintenance and mechanical failure can contribute to West Palm Beach car crashes.
4. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination and plan for hazardous road conditions.
5. Don't engage with aggressive drivers. Losing your temper or retaliating can cause a fatal accident.
6. Maintain a safe following distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. There should be one car length of space for every 10 miles per hour of speed. This gives you plenty of time to react to road hazards.
7. Try to maintain a constant speed. If you continually slow down or speed up, other drivers don't know what to expect.
8. Adjust your mirrors every time you get in the car. Remember to use your mirrors to check your blind spots.
9. Always use caution at intersections. Most accidents happen in intersections. Look left, then right, then left again, and don't proceed until the intersection is clear. 
10. Take a defensive driving course. This will improve your ability to react to other drivers.

If you are injured in a West Palm Beach auto accident, a Florida personal injury attorney can help. Request a free copy of our book, What the Insurance Companies Don't Want You to Know, or call 800-GOLD-LAW to schedule a free consultation.