The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that each year in the United States, more than three million individuals are injured in motor vehicle crashes (this doesn’t include people who are killed in motor vehicle crashes). A large number of these crashes occur because motor vehicle drivers lose control of their vehicles. There are two types of loss-of-control accidents — those that involve factors beyond the driver’s control and those involving accidents in which the driver can exercise some degree of control. While you might not be able to avoid every loss-of-control accident, remember that there are some important steps you can take to reduce your chances of ending up losing control of your vehicle.
Avoid Panic
It is easy to panic if your vehicle goes out of control. In such a situation, however, it is a good idea to remain calm and avoid panicking as much as possible. By letting your fear and uncertainty take control of your thinking, your chances of ending up in an undesirable situation increase greatly. While it might be hard to do, try your best to remain calm.
Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
If you lose control of your vehicle, one of the most important things to do is to keep your hands on the wheel. Despite this, many people find that their first reaction is to loosen their grip on the wheel. By doing this, however, you greatly increase your chances of further losing control of your vehicle.
Keep Your Eyes Open
Many people instinctively shut their eyes when scary events happen. You should, however, do your best to avoid doing this. Instead, you should keep your eyes open because as soon as you regain control of your vehicle, you will need to see where you are headed. By keeping your eyes closed, you greatly increase your chances of not knowing where you are headed and ending up in a life-changing accident.
Shift Into Neutral
While it might seem like a strange thing to do, it is a good idea to shift your vehicle into neutral as soon as it starts moving out of your control. This way, you eliminate your chances of ending up in a serious accident. Otherwise, your vehicle will remain in drive and power will keep going to the car’s wheels, which can greatly increase your chances of being seriously injured.
Steer Into the Skid
Regardless of whether you are hydroplaning or skidding, it is almost always a good idea to steer the vehicle into the skid. This means steering into the direction that the back of the vehicle is headed. In most cases, this is the quickest way to regain control of your vehicle and head in a safe direction.
Contact an Experienced Missouri Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a loss of control vehicle accident, one of the best steps that you can take is to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact House Law LLC today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Tags: auto accident, car accident
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