Every time you get behind the wheel, you make choices that affect not only your life but also the lives of everyone around you. Safe driving saves lives. Unsafe driving? It changes them forever. Millions of people use the roads daily to go to work, drop off kids, run errands, or visit family. But just one bad decision — like picking up your phone, driving after a few drinks, or skipping your seatbelt — can lead to tragedy. These choices often cause crashes, injuries, and even death as a car accident lawyer knows all too well.
Let’s break down the dangers of unsafe driving, why it matters, and what to do if you or someone you love gets hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Why Driving Safe Matters
Driving may feel routine, but it’s one of the most dangerous things people do every day. Cars are powerful machines. They move at high speeds, and even a small mistake can have life-altering consequences. Every year, unsafe driving causes thousands of deaths and injuries in the United States alone.
When you drive safely, you protect yourself, your passengers, and others on the road—other drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. But when someone drives carelessly or recklessly, the risk skyrockets as our friends at Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC can attest.
3 Common Unsafe Driving Habits That Lead To Accidents
1. Texting Or Using The Phone While Driving
Looking down at your phone for five seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. That’s how dangerous texting while driving is.
Distracted driving causes crashes every day. It’s not just texting—scrolling social media, answering calls, changing the music, or using navigation can also take your focus away from the road.
Tip: Put your phone away or use “Do Not Disturb” while driving. Pull over safely if you need to use your phone.
2. Drinking And Driving
Even one drink can slow your reaction time, cloud your judgment, and make you more likely to take dangerous risks. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal—and deadly.
Drunk driving puts everyone in danger, from passengers and pedestrians to innocent drivers who are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Tip: Always plan ahead. Use a designated driver, rideshare service, or taxi if you plan to drink.
3. Not Wearing A Seatbelt
Seatbelts save lives. They reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a crash by nearly 50%. Yet, many people still skip wearing one—especially in the back seat or on short drives.
In a collision, an unbuckled person can be thrown from the vehicle or become a projectile, injuring others inside the car.
Tip: Buckle up every time, in every seat, no matter how short the drive.
Other Dangerous Driving Behaviors
- Speeding: Driving too fast makes it harder to stop and increases the force of impact in a crash.
- Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, weaving through traffic, and road rage put everyone at risk.
- Fatigue: Driving while tired slows reaction time and increases the chance of falling asleep at the wheel.
- Weather Ignorance: Driving too fast in rain, snow, or fog can cause hydroplaning, skidding, and loss of control.
What Happens When Someone Else Drives Unsafe?
Not every crash happens because of your own actions. Many accidents happen because another driver made a reckless choice—and now you’re left dealing with the damage.
Unsafe drivers often:
- Run red lights or stop signs
- Speed through neighborhoods
- Drive distracted or under the influence
- Fail to yield or follow traffic laws
If a careless driver injures you or your loved one, you have the right to take action. You shouldn’t have to deal with medical bills, lost income, or emotional pain alone.
Injured By An Unsafe Driver? Attorneys Can Help
Attorneys handle personal injury claims, including car wrecks caused by negligent drivers. If you or someone close to you suffers an injury in a crash, you may qualify for compensation.
This may include:
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
A lawyer investigates your case, gathers evidence, speaks with insurance companies, and fights to get you the compensation you deserve. You focus on healing — they handle the legal side.
What To Do After A Car Accident
If you get into a car accident, here’s what you should do:
- Stay Calm And Check For Injuries Make sure you and your passengers are okay. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Move To Safety If the vehicles are in a dangerous spot and it’s safe to move them, do so. Otherwise, turn on hazard lights and stay in a secure place.
- Call The Police Get an official police report. It helps your case later.
- Exchange Information And Share contact, insurance, and license plate info with the other driver. Don’t admit fault.
- Take Photos Document the damage, the scene, and any injuries.
- Seek Medical Care Even if you feel fine, get checked out. Injuries like whiplash or concussions may not show up right away.
- Contact Attorneys Before dealing with insurance companies, talk to a lawyer. They protect your rights and make sure no one takes advantage of you.
Safer Roads Start With You
Everyone shares the road. Your choices matter. By driving responsibly, you help create safer communities for your family, neighbors, and strangers alike.
Stay alert. Stay sober. Stay focused. Buckle up. Slow down.
But if someone else’s dangerous decisions put you in harm’s way, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Attorneys have your back.
Let Attorneys Fight For You
Lawyers have experience and know how devastating a car accident can be — physically, emotionally, and financially. When someone drives carelessly and causes harm, a lawyer will help hold them accountable.
If you or a loved one gets hurt in a crash because someone else drove unsafe, call an attorney. You may be eligible to file a personal injury claim.