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Important Safety Tips for California Drivers: Protecting Yourself from Wrong-Way Drivers

In a perfect world, you would be able to drive down the street with the minimum assumption that others would be driving on the correct side of the street. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Wrong-way drivers are all too common, and the results of their actions can be devastating. Keep reading to learn how you can protect yourself from wrong-way drivers and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you have been injured in this type of car accident and require legal help.

The Most Common Causes of Wrong-Way Driving

One of the first things you can do is to learn the causes of wrong-way driving so you can avoid these drivers. Some of the most common causes are distracted drivers who are not giving their full attention to the road in front of them, sleepy or drowsy drivers who are not driving safely, elderly drivers who have bad eyesight or other medical conditions, and driving while drunk or otherwise intoxicated.

Protecting Yourself from Wrong-Way Driving

Many of the steps to protect yourself from wrong-way driving are the same steps you should use to protect yourself anytime you drive: drive defensively, focus on the road in front of you, and avoid distractions.

However, to prevent an accident with wrong-way drivers specifically, you can be sure to be more cautious or (if possible) avoid driving at night or on the weekends, which is when most wrong-way accidents occur. You should always wear your seatbelt because if you do get into a wrong-way accident, the best way to prevent catastrophic injury or death is to be wearing your seatbelt.

What to Do if You Come Across a Wrong-Way Driver

If you do come across a wrong-way driver, use your blinker to indicate to other drivers (and the wrong-way driver) that you are moving into another lane, be aware of the situation and keep aware of it, slow down, and get off the road or highway if you can do so safely. If you cannot exit safely, get into the far-right lane or the slow lane – whichever lane keeps you farthest from the driver.

Once you have gotten past the danger, pull over where it is safe to do so (if you are not already pulled over) and call 911. Give the dispatcher as much information as possible about the vehicle, the driver, and your location. A driver on the wrong side of the road is a danger to everyone, and immediate emergency help is required.

If you are involved in a wrong-way accident or another type of car accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.