Serious car accidents cause severe injuries and fatalities to the passengers and drivers involved and lead to long, drawn-out insurance negotiations and expensive lawsuits that take up substantial amounts of valuable time.

Motor vehicle accidents happen every day, and while a percentage of these collisions are not preventable, many can be avoided. Nobody enters their car with the intention of getting into a collision but by using common sense, obeying the rules of the road and employing a few little-known strategies, you can minimize your chances of injury to yourself or others as well as being held liable for negligence that caused a dangerous motor vehicle accident.

1. Take a defensive driving course. These lessons, offered all over the country, teach motorists how to stay aware, drive with attention and keep track of other drivers to avoid getting into a collision. Distracted driving is a leading cause of all accidents, and the ability to reduce your own distractions while spotting distracted drivers around you goes a long way toward staying safe on the road.


2. Follow traffic laws. Don't speed, always signal when changing lanes or turning and allow enough space between your car and the cars in front of you to stop quickly if necessary. Always wear your seat belt; even though it doesn't prevent an accident, seat belts protect you in the event of an unavoidable collision.


3. Don't drink and drive or do drugs and drive. Alcohol involvement is a contributing factor in a significant number of serious motor vehicle accidents.


4. Properly maintain your vehicle. Tire blowouts, failed brakes and steering wheel difficulties might not be the leading cause of most motor vehicle accidents but can lead to very severe collisions. Avoid these dangers easily by bringing your car in for regular servicing and checking any noise or change that is abnormal.


5. Use extra caution when driving at night or in weather conditions that lead to low visibility. Reduce your driving speed, allow more space between you and other drivers and use fog lights or headlamps to increase your visibility to others. Whenever possible avoid driving under these conditions.


6. Pay special attention at intersections; intersection-related collisions comprise almost 50% of all fatal car accidents and many pedestrian related accidents as well. Check for other traffic, don't speed through yellow lights and proceed with caution.


7. Avoid using the fast lane on freeways while driving. Driving in the middle or right lane of multi-lane roads leave more options for escape if a situation arises.


8. Know the limits of your car. Each car handles differently and it is up to the driver to be aware of their vehicle's turning radius, braking response, speed response and the grip of their tires.


9. Keep your hands in the 9 and 3 o'clock positions to insure maximum steering control.


10. Avoid driving when tired. Avoid arm fatigue by moving the driver seat close to the steering wheel so that your back rests against the seat and your wrists rest on the top of the wheel when the arms are outstretched.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a serious motor vehicle accident, contact a professional car accident attorney who can advise you of your rights to get compensation for the damages and injuries you have endured.