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How to Avoid Car Accidents in 2025

The new year has started, and that’s always a good time to think about your goals and objectives moving forward. How about setting a goal to stay safe on the road in 2025? Car accidents can have catastrophic consequences, from serious personal injury to financial harm. However, there are ways to protect yourself from car accidents, including adopting safe habits and practicing defensive driving to be aware of the dangers posed by others to you and other drivers on the road.

Why is this important? California consistently ranks among the top states for car accidents, with a vast number of daily crashes affecting thousands of lives. In 2024, the state saw nearly 4,000 fatal car accidents, a staggering number that places it second in the country for traffic-related deaths, just behind Texas.

Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind as you commute daily and plan longer work and vacation trips. 

Focus on Maintenance

Keep your car maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications found in your owner’s manual. Regular maintenance includes:

  • Tire health checks – Are your tires properly inflated, and do they have adequate tread?
  • Brake condition – Do your brakes squeal or have impaired responsiveness?
  • Software – If your car has autonomous software, keep it updated to ensure prime functionality.

Other components of a regular maintenance program include checking your battery, ensuring that fluids are clean and topped off regularly, and monitoring the condition of your driving and brake lights.

Learn to Embrace Technology

Many cars now have technology. Features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking are designed to help drivers avoid collisions. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your car’s driver assistance features and use them properly. Use real-time navigation apps that can help you preview traffic conditions, road hazards, and alternate routes. If possible, installing a dash camera can not only provide evidence in case of an accident but also help you stay accountable while driving. 

Engage In Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is more important than ever, given the high level of distracted driving among the general public. Unfortunately, many people drive with music playing loudly, check their texts, talk on the phone, or pay too much attention to roadside attractions. Be aware at all times of how other people are driving. Being a defensive driver is a tried-and-true technique to increase your own safety. 

Defensive driving also means avoiding distractions yourself. To the extent possible, refrain from texting or talking on the phone. Keep your eyes on the road and don’t rubberneck or unduly watch the scenery. 

Stay Informed About Traffic Laws

Like everything else, traffic laws are subject to change over time. Federal law governs interstate highways, while state and local laws govern intrastate traffic. Speed limits, mobile device usage, and other rules of the road aren’t static, and it’s important to read and pay attention to road signage.

Be A Planner

Plan your trips so that you’re well prepared to know what’s in store. Effective trip planning can reduce stress and minimize your risk of being involved in an accident. Get familiar with your route so you can avoid last-minute decisions, plan your trips to avoid peak traffic hours, and avoid driving in severe weather if possible. 

Don’t Engage in Impaired Driving

Don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Don’t drive when you’re drowsy. If you must be somewhere and can’t follow these suggestions, change your plans or call a rideshare service.

What To Do If An Accident Happens

If, despite your best efforts, you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to take the following steps:

  • Move your car out of the way of traffic and onto a shoulder or another safe and relatively isolated location.
  • Check yourself and other passengers for injuries. Call for an ambulance or medical assistance if you believe some injuries require evaluation or treatment.
  • Document the time and place of the accident, and the involved drivers’ licenses and car registrations.
  • Document your recollections of what happened – was one party driving too slow or too fast, changing lanes erratically, or failing to follow other traffic signals? Draw a diagram if possible.
  • Contact the necessary parties, including your insurance company and your employer if you’re driving a company vehicle or a fleet vehicle.
  • Contact a Santa Ana car accident attorney who can help make sure you are treated fairly and obtain the compensation you deserve.

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Lawsuit, and What Must I Prove?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in California, in most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to bring your case. This statute of limitations means that you will be time-barred if you fail to file your case promptly. Different time periods apply for minors, as well as when one of the parties is a governmental entity. 

To prevail, you will need to prove the following elements:

  • The defendant owed a duty of care to you;
  • The defendant breached the duty of care;
  • The breach was the proximate cause of your injuries; and
  • Your injuries are compensable. 

The vast majority of cases will not go to court and end up in a settlement with the driver’s insurance company. It’s essential not to accept the first offer and to consult a Santa Ana car accident attorney to ensure you receive fair treatment. 

Contact The Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian

Accidents happen every day, from vehicle accidents to slips and falls in big-box stores to workplace injuries. But if they weren’t your fault, you should be compensated. Luckily, California has a personal injury legal system that allows you to be compensated for the negligence or willful misconduct that caused your injuries. Here at the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian, we know how to evaluate your case and help you proceed on the path that will result in the most compensation for you. Our lawyers are deeply experienced and skilled in all types of personal injuries, including car accidents. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.