4 Life-Threatening Accidents—and How to Avoid Them

So you’ve got a bit of a thrill-seeking side? There’s no harm in that! However, there are some pretty serious accidents waiting to be had should you not pay attention. Take a moment to examine these four common accident pitfalls—and how you can successfully avoid them!

Motor Vehicle Accident

While you cannot control other drivers on the road, here are some easy steps to prevent any sort of motor vehicle accident when you are the driver:

• Obey the Speed Limit
• According to data from the Fatality Analysis reporting System (FARS) taken in 2009, driving in excess of speed limits was a contributing factor in over 99% of all speeding-related fatal crashes. Though not all motor vehicle accidents are fatal, passengers are oftentimes left hurt. Take heed of the speed limit when driving and do not exceed those parameters.
• Drive Defensively
• Defensive driving is not code for “driving really slow.” It is, however, a manner of driving that involves using safe driving strategies and techniques to allow for motorists to identify potential road problems ahead of time. Proceed with caution, especially in higher-trafficked areas like intersections.
• Buckle Up
• Although it won’t prevent motor vehicle accidents, wearing a seat belt will help to avoid life-threatening repercussions oftentimes involved with severe crashes. Furthermore, should you get caught without wearing a seat belt, you will be ticketed. So buckle up to remain safe and ticket free!

Athletic-Related Accident

Physical activity is part of our everyday lives and is necessary in order to maintain good health. However, certain precautions should be taken in order to remain safe when engaging in such activities:

• Wear a Helmet
• Whether you’re about to hit the slopes on the snowmobile or are practicing your swing at the batting cages, wear a helmet! Each year, thousands of head injuries occur that would have been easily-prevented should the individual(s) involved have been wearing helmets. Don’t be another brain injury statistic!
• Never Be Alone
• Even if you are only headed to the backyard to practice a few somersaults, make sure that someone is aware of where you are and what you will be doing. All too often we convince ourselves that “nothing could possibly go wrong,” and when an accident occurs we are left alone to try and seek out help. 127 hours, anyone?
• Drink Water
• Though most people do not realize it, becoming dehydrated while performing exercise can produce some pretty nasty effects. Some of these include lightheadedness, cramping, fatigue, vomiting, and (in extreme cases) requires immediate medical treatment. The lesson? Stock up on H2O!

Boating Accident

According to data released from the United States Coast Guard, there were over 4,500 boating-related accidents that occurred in 2012. With these numbers in mind, it is imperative to take every precaution prior to going out on the water.

• Wear a Life Jacket
• According to the Coast Guard’s statistics, nearly 71% of boating accident fatalities were caused by drowning, and of those almost 85% were not wearing life jackets. This is one of the easiest ways to prevent harm should you be required to “jump ship.”
• Check Weather Conditions
• Though this might seem obvious, check the weather forecast before venturing out on marine territory. Should predictions include rough waters or inclement weather conditions, take a “rain check” and stay on terrestrial terrain for the day.
• File a Float Plan
• Many people are not even aware of what this is. A float plan is an informal, written document that is submitted to a friend, your marina, etc. that details your boating excursion (who is on board, your estimated time of arrival, etc.). This is especially important for longer trips when friends and associates do not anticipate seeing you for a longer period of time.

Slip and Fall Accident

According to the National Safety Council, falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional death in homes and communities and accounted for over 25,000 deaths in 2009. Keep the following in mind in order to prevent any tripping calam.

• Footwear
• This is not a plug to do away with your high heels. But should you know that excessive amounts of walking or stair climbing will take place, opt for a more secure shoe. Make sure you are wearing footwear that is both appropriate for the setting and that fits well.
• Flooring
• When making flooring purchases for your home or other space, pay attention to the quality of the surface. This is especially important if there are young children or elderly people around (as they are more likely to have a bad fall).
• Look Down
• For instances wherein you have no control over the flooring conditions, pay attention to where you walk. Though this might sound obvious, many accidents that occur as a result of falls could be easily avoided should a little more observation been employed.

Accidents happen, but that doesn’t mean that they could not have been avoided. Take some time to do a personal inventory of your safety techniques (do you opt for a helmet or life jacket?) and keep yourself bulletproof from these common accident pitfalls. Whether you are a personal injury lawyer in Midland or a financial analyst in Montreal, we all could use a little more caution in our sometimes carefree lives!

Also, make sure your family’s finances are protected should something happen to you, with life insurance from LifeInsure.com and disability insurance from LifeInsure.com.

Author Byline:
Annie Babbitt is a freelance writer whose interests include current events, political science, and law. Annie loves helping promote change and being an advocate for those in need. She especially loves writing about legal topics, and draws inspiration for her writing from companies that work in personal injury litigation such as Little John Barristers.