What are the most common accident claims made in the spring and how can you avoid them?
After a very long and challenging winter, spring is finally here! Although much of the country is under strict stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, people are still heading outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather. April showers bring May flowers, and the spring brings an increase in accident claims for personal injury lawyers. As we all begin to take out our spring clothes from storage, dust off our sneakers and sandals and head outdoors, it’s essential to be aware of the most common risks. The first step to avoiding an injury or accident claim is to be proactive and informed.
Car, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents
With the winter in our rear-view mirrors, our eyes are back on the roads and how busy they are. Warmer weather means more people are getting out of the house, and it also means motorcycles and bicycles are back on the streets again. Spring is also a typical time of year for new drivers to practice their driving. With an increase in traffic, car, motorcycle, and cycling accident claims also increase. You can’t always prevent an accident, but driving safely and being patient with slow drivers, and obeying traffic laws can reduce your risks significantly.
Something hard to ignore in the spring is the abundance of potholes on the roads. Potholes are common in the spring because the water from winter snow seeps into cracks in the gravel. The water freezes and melts continuously, causing the gravel to expand and contract and thus crumbling. Hitting a pothole can not only damage your car, but it can also cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Even swerving into another lane or oncoming traffic to avoid a pothole could result in an accident claim.
Furthermore, you could also sustain an injury depending on the severity of the impact. Keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Drive around potholes if it’s safe to do so. If you can’t avoid hitting one, slow down as much as possible to soften the impact.
Playground injuries
Playgrounds are a great way to keep children and teens active, occupied, and amused. With the weather getting warmer and playgrounds starting to reopen, there is a higher risk of playground injuries. Always be mindful of inspecting playground equipment before allowing children to play on it. Rusted, damaged, and broken equipment should be avoided and reported to the city as soon as possible. Above all else, adult supervision is crucial to prevent injuries, trips to the hospital, and accident claims.
Dog bites
Dogs need exercise too, and the spring weather is perfect for walks. In most cases, dogs are harmless, but with more dogs and people outdoors, there’s always a risk of being bitten. Never touch, grab, or run towards a dog without the owner’s permission. Do not approach stray dogs, and ensure that you and your loved ones know how to read and interpret a dog’s body language.
Don’t let preventable injuries and accident claims ruin your spring
Accidents are just that – accidents. Sometimes you can be as safe as possible and still sustain a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence. However, by taking the necessary precautions, you can enjoy your spring, knowing you’re doing everything you can to keep yourself and others safe.
If you are involved in an accident, a reliable and experienced lawyer can help you seek justice and deal with stubborn insurance companies.