Dec 19 2022 | Zayouna Admin

10 Tips for Avoiding a Car Accident in Toronto

Car accidents are an unfortunate part of life for all drivers. According to a 2015 report from Allstate, an insurance claim is made for around 6% of cars in Toronto each year. That’s a lot of accidents. 

Fortunately, there are strategies that can help you avoid car accidents and steps to take after a car accident to make sure you are properly compensated. Having a good car insurance policy is an essential first step to reducing the financial burden of repairing your vehicle. When car insurance isn’t enough or if your injuries are severe, saving the number of an experienced car accident lawyer can help you take legal action when necessary.

Of course, the best way to deal with the consequences of a car accident in Toronto is to avoid one in the first place. To help with that, put these tips to use.

Pay Attention to the Speed Limit

Speeding is the most common contributing factor to fatal accidents in Toronto and Canada. Keep an eye out for the speed limit and drive with a light foot. It will help keep yourself and your passengers safe. Plus you gain the bonus of saving money on fuel. 

If that’s not enough reason to convince you to slow down, researchers have crunched the numbers and found that a 40 km drive with a 70 km/h speed limit takes 34 minutes. Speeding at 80 km/h saves only 4 minutes but increases the risk of an accident by at least 60%.

Avoid Distractions

The next largest factor involved in fatal accidents is distracted driving, contributing to around 22.3% of fatal accidents in Canada in 2020. When most people think of distracted driving, texting is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but that’s not the only distraction to avoid. Eating while driving, talking on the phone (even with hands-free calling), getting too into the music, and anything else that takes your attention away from driving can all increase your collision risk. 

Don’t Drive Drowsy

Ask anyone who has been driving for a long time and they will probably have a story about a time when they almost fell asleep at the wheel. If you have one of those stories, you know how scary that experience is. Do everyone a favour and pull over if you’re feeling drowsy.

Take Rain and Snow Seriously

Torontonian drivers are all too familiar with rainy, snowy, and icy road conditions. Torontonian drivers are also familiar with how often people don’t drive with the appropriate amount of caution for the weather.  

Winter tires make a huge difference on snow and ice. So does slowing down, increasing braking distances, and giving extra space. But the best tip for driving in heavy rain or snow is simply to avoid it altogether whenever possible. 

Never Drive Under the Influence

You hear it all the time. Drunk driving kills. Alcohol, drugs, and many prescription medications all impair your driving ability and when it comes to drugs and alcohol, it takes far less than you might think to have an effect. Even one or two drinks will substantially impair your judgment, motor control, and vision.

Don’t Forget your Blindspots

One of the most important aspects of safe driving is staying aware of what’s around you. Part of that is remembering to check your blindspots when switching lanes and looking before you reverse or turn.

Use Your Signals

Relatedly, make sure you use your turn signals appropriately. There are a lot of things to keep track of when you drive, help other drivers by letting them know your next move with your indicators.

Stay Calm

We all lose our cool sometimes, but tailgating a driver or speeding past someone out of anger only leads to an unnecessary risk of an accident. If you encounter a road-raging driver, it’s best to try to stay out of their way.

Position Yourself for Safety

Where you position your car on the road can significantly reduce your risk of a car accident in Toronto. 

• Always give enough space behind the other drivers
• On highways, only use the far left lane for passing so you have somewhere to escape to if necessary
• When parking on the road, try to avoid parking near tight intersections or anywhere other drivers might not see you
• Put your car where others expect it to go–stop at designated lines, don’t pass on the right, and follow the lines on the road

Keep Up With Your Car Maintenance

A well-running vehicle is an important part of avoiding car accidents. Tires that are the wrong pressure increase the risk of a blowout, worn brakes will increase stopping distances, and old power steering fluid can make steering more difficult. Have a mechanic check your car regularly, and keep up to date with your car maintenance schedule. 

What To Do if You Get Into a Car Accident in Toronto

If you are unfortunate enough to get into an accident, it’s important to know what your options are for seeking compensation. The first number you’ll want to know is your car insurance to help pay for the damage to your vehicle. The next number you might want to consider dialing is a car accident lawyer.

For a car accident lawyer in Toronto that you can trust to help you after an accident, contact Zayouna Law Firm. Whether you need help filing a long-term disability claim, suing the at-fault driver, or any other assistance, Zayouna Law is here to help.

Our team of personal injury lawyers will do everything they can to advocate for your best outcome following an accident. Book a free consultation to learn about your rights or to start a claim.