subject: Some Ways to Avoid Drunk and Distracted Drivers [print this page] Some Ways to Avoid Drunk and Distracted Drivers
As an auto accident attorney I've seen the aftermath of a drunk driving accident. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you have a sober driver. I won't lecture any further, but I will say that if you do have a sober driver it is almost as important that they are able to effectively spot and avoid a drunk or distracted driver. Drinking and driving causes thousands of accidents nationwide, and it's important to be aware of other irresponsible drivers, even if you are acting responsibly. If it seems like someone is driving impaired or distracted near you, you need to have time to react to any sudden movements their vehicle may make. There are several signs to watch for. These do not always mean the person is intoxicated but they do indicate that the person is a terrible or erratic driver. Regardless, you should stay clear of vehicles that are:1)Swerving 2) Driving well under the speed limit, many drunk drivers will go slower so they can concentrate. 3) Stopping for no reason (again this may be a drunk driver being overly cautious) 4) Driving in the middle of the road. Drunk drivers will sometimes use the center line to direct them. 5) Tailgating. Impaired drivers will sometimes follow the car behind them in an attempt to drive straight. This can often lead to the impaired driver tailgating the car in front of them. 6) Incredibly bad driving. There is a good chance the driver is intoxicated if they are driving the wrong way, on the wrong side of the road, without headlights, or off the road completely. Unfortunately accidents are not always avoidable. It does help however if you aren't at fault. To avoid being at fault it's a good idea to refrain from texting, driving intoxicated, or anything else that could be considered dangerous driving.Insurance companies are first and foremost concerned with saving themselves as much money as possible. If they can claim that you could have prevented the accident or were in some way at fault (however minimally it may seem) you may have a problem on your hands. Until you've spoken with an experienced auto accident attorney you are probably better off not even speaking with your insurance adjuster. Knowing how to avoid being taken advantage of by your insurance company is important, but your number one priority should be to always be a safe and focused driver.
