No one plans to get into a motor vehicle accident. However, specific strategies before getting behind the wheel can help avoid the possibility of a severe and potentially fatal collision. While you can control how you operate a car, no guarantee exists that others sharing the road will abide by laws governing speed, not to mention driving under the influence.
Essential preparation involves reviewing your motor vehicle insurance and precisely the coverage in the event of a collision.
Proactive steps are paramount
Double-checking that you have uninsured motorist coverage can also provide a semblance of peace of mind. Personal injury protection (PIP) and Medical payments (MedPay) insurance are no-fault insurance coverage that covers the costs following injuries suffered in an accident, regardless of who caused the casualties.
Securing full tort coverage brings a higher premium of at least $15,000 for one person and $30,000 to everyone in the vehicle who suffered injuries in an accident. First-party medical payment coverage must be at least $5,000.
However, it does provide accident victims with the option of pursuing pain and suffering compensation from the at-fault driver. As evidenced in the name, limited tort insurance limits coverage to property and injury.
Options exist to buy more than the minimum amount of coverage, mainly when an accident involves those who do not bother to get their own coverage.
Ensuring roadworthiness
Before getting behind the wheel on a long-awaited family trip, it is vital to check the vehicle’s condition and if it is roadworthy. Ensure all vehicle lights are operational and glare from the windshield is minimal.
While proactive steps will help keep you and your family safe while on vacation, you cannot control how other drivers choose to operate their motor vehicles. In a split second, a long-awaited outing can turn tragic due to the negligent acts of another driver.