On April 28, a car accident occurred in Columbia County that killed a 3-year-old girl.
According to investigators, 29-year-old Samecia Smith didn’t realize that traffic had come to a stop and swerved her car to try to avoid a rear-end car accident. Then, she drove into oncoming traffic. She hit a Jeep Cherokee.
Zora Paschal, 3, was in a car seat in the backseat when the accident occurred and was killed instantly. Her mother is considered the driver at-fault and will be facing charges.
How to Reduce the Risk of a Car Accident
Car accidents occur every day on U.S. roadways and some of them can result in fatal injuries. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk of getting into a car accident.
- Avoid distractions. Distractions are one of the most common causes of car accidents. When you’re behind the wheel, it is important to keep your attention on the road at all times. If you send a text message or eat while driving, you increase your risk of getting in an accident.
- Follow the speed limit. As an Athens, GA personal injury lawyer can confirm, speeding also causes a large number of car accidents. If you drive faster than the posted speed limit, you can lower your reaction time and not have enough time to respond to hazards.
- Don’t drink and drive. There are many warnings against driving under the influence of alcohol. However, that doesn’t stop some people from getting behind the wheel intoxicated. Alcohol can impair your judgment, lower your reaction time and reduce your focus, increasing the chances of an accident.
- Avoid driving tired. When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, it is important to be alert. However, if you’re running on little sleep, this can be difficult. If you’re tired, you are more likely to lose focus and get in an accident.
- Be careful in poor weather conditions. As the legal professionals at Norris Injury Law can attest, car accidents are more common during bad weather. If you can’t avoid driving during rain or hail, reduce your speeds and pay extra careful attention to your surroundings.
- Make car maintenance a priority. Believe it or not, poor vehicle maintenance can also cause car accidents. For example, if you have worn out tires and don’t replace them, they can blow out on the road and cause a collision. As such, you should maintain and repair your vehicle as necessary.
- Stay a safe distance behind vehicles. Car accidents can also occur due to tailgating. If you’re traveling too close to the vehicle in front of you, you may not have enough time to react if the vehicle stops suddenly. This can result in an accident. Always have a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you.
If you were hurt in a car accident, you may want to schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
