Automobile accidents can be costly and traumatic. It only takes a second or two for one to ruin your life; you can be injured or even killed. Medical expenses to treat your injuries can be horrendous, plus your damaged vehicle will need to be repaired or replaced. This is why it is so important to make every effort to avoid auto collisions.

While accidents cannot be avoided 100 percent of the time, there are things you can do to lessen your chances of being in an accident.

First, pay attention to your driving. Be aware of your surroundings and road conditions. Is traffic really heavy? Then slow down. Is the road extremely slick and icy? The answer again is to slow down or, better yet, stay off the highways until road conditions improve. Don’t become distracted. Don’t eat while you’re driving or use your cell phone, unless you have a hands-free system; even then, talking on the phone can be distracting, so you may want to pull off the road to make your calls. If your kids are being obnoxious in the back seat, pull off to the side of the road to discipline them.

Secondly, use common sense. If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. Get a friend to drive you home or call a taxi. Too many lives are lost when a drunk driver gets behind the wheel. Drive within the speed limits. Speeding is another major cause of accidents because you may not have enough time to take preventive action. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and in good running order. A wheel falling off when you’re driving down the freeway means trouble, not only for you but other cars on the highway.

While there are many things you can do to avoid auto collisions, the one thing you can’t do is drive for the person who chooses to disobey traffic laws or fails to keep his car in a safe operating condition. Negligent drivers make it very difficult for others to avoid car accidents. If you‘ve been injured in an auto accident that wasn‘t your fault, you may want to talk to an accident attorney to find out what your rights are under the law and how best to handle your claim against the at-fault driver.