Odessa Texas Personal Injury Law Blog

When a moving vehicle hits a person who is walking or running, the results are usually catastrophic. A person is largely unprotected against the impact of a large, heavy vehicle, and auto accidents involving pedestrians can result in serious injuries or even death. In order to reduce the number of these types of incidents, it can be helpful for both people outside of vehicles and behind the wheel to learn how to stay safe.

Bad habits are some of the leading reasons for pedestrian accidents. Drivers are more distracted than ever, and as a result, many are not as aware of people who may be walking around their vehicles. Speeding, reckless driving and disregard for crosswalks and stop signs can cause great harm for pedestrians. Regardless of why an accident happens, Texas drivers are responsible for the choices they make while behind the wheel.

It is likely that most Texas readers have shared the road with drivers who were distracted. From various types of cellphone use to in-car infotainment systems, there are many things that can distract a driver and increase the chance of auto accidents. While distracted driving is often associated with younger drivers, there is significant evidence that points to the fact that it is actually an issue for older drivers as well.

Baby boomers often point fingers at millennials as the main reason for the distracted driving problem. Statistics do indicate that this younger generation plays a major role in this particular safety concern, with as many as 86% of millennials admitting they text while driving. However a recent study proved that older drivers also have a problem, with around 50% of baby boomers admitting they also text and drive.

Distraction is a major safety concern to Texas drivers and others across the country. One of the main sources of this dangerous behavior is the use of cellphones. Studies have found that for elderly individuals, distracted driving is a significant issue. Any time a person is not focused on safe driving, he or she is at an elevated risk of causing auto accidents. 

With Bluetooth technology, many phones automatically connect with the vehicle. This allows a driver to control certain phone functions with voice commands, but this is not always safer than holding the phone. Cognitive distraction happens when a person is focused on something else, and it can be dangerous even when both hands are on the wheel. While elderly drivers may take advantage of these tools, they can still be driving while distracted. 

Texas is home to many motorcycle enthusiasts, and especially during the summer months when the weather is nice and there is lots to see and do, it is not unusual for passenger vehicles to share the road with motorcycles. Drivers must remain alert, as motorcycles are much smaller than most other vehicles and are usually difficult to see. Even experienced riders are at risk to be hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident, often in the blink of an eye. 

There are things that a motorcyclist can do to reduce the risk of injury or death on the road. Wearing proper safety gear, such as a helmet, is a good start. Obeying traffic laws and using turn signals where appropriate can help avoid a crash. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent an accident.