August Is the Most Dangerous Month on the Road

August typically ranks as the most dangerous month to be on the road, as more traffic accidents and fatalities occur in August than in any other month. If you plan to be on the road in August, you should familiarize yourself with the risks you may face and what you can do to protect yourself from an accident and serious injury. And if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, turn to a personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of your case and to go over your legal rights and options for recovering compensation for your injuries and damage.

Right Turn Accidents

When drivers make a right turn on red, many drivers choose to slow down but not come to a full stop, rolling through the red light or stop sign. Unfortunately, by not coming to a full stop, drivers deprive themselves of the opportunity to fully scan the intersection for other vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians. This is why the law requires motorists to come to a full stop at a red light or stop sign before proceeding with a right turn.

Drowsy or Fatigued Driving

Drowsy or fatigued driving, unfortunately, represents a common factor in many accidents, especially in August with the longer summer days encouraging people to stay awake longer. Drowsy or fatigued driving is often considered just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as drowsy/fatigued driving can also affect a driver’s perception, judgment, and reaction times. Drivers can avoid being behind the wheel while drowsy or fatigued by not driving late at night or on little sleep or by taking frequent breaks on long road trips.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving, including aggressive maneuvering or other highly dangerous behaviors such as tailgating, can quickly lead to a crash as a reckless driver can lose control of their vehicle or leave themselves with little opportunity to respond to a sudden emergency or hazard in front of them. 

Blind Spot Accidents

Blind spot accidents represent a frequent cause of motor vehicle crashes. Unfortunately, drivers may solely rely on their mirrors when changing lanes or turning, without remembering to check to see if another vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian may be in their blind spot. Although many newer cars are equipped with blind-spot monitoring technology that can warn drivers when something is in the blind spot or even prevent a collision, drivers should always visually confirm that their blind spot is clear before maneuvering. 

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents represent a significant fraction of all motor vehicle crashes. Most rear-end collisions result from tailgating or following too closely to the vehicle in front. By not leaving a safe distance to the vehicle in front, drivers rob themselves of the ability to safely slow down and stop if that vehicle in front hits their brakes. Many rear-end accidents are also caused by distracted driving — when a driver takes their eyes off the road, they may fail to realize that a vehicle or that traffic in front of them is slowing down or has stopped.

Contact a Edison Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motor vehicle accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A. represent clients injured because of motor vehicle accidents in New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Middletown, Howell, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 906-1500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820, as well as offices in Edison, Brick, Freehold, and Point Pleasant Beach.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.