Motor vehicle accidents are the most common reason for personal injury claims. A motor vehicle accident normally falls under the category of negligence as persons operating automobiles are expected to exercise, “reasonable care.” If someone is found to have negligently operated their vehicle and caused an accident they may be required by law to pay for damages to cover the injured person, their vehicle or both.

It is important that you focus on your driving when behind the wheel and that you follow all traffic rules. Some tips to avoid being involved in a motor vehicle crash are:

* Do not disobey traffic signs or signals – often people use “Stop” signs as “Yield” signs and do not fully stop when required to. When you do not come to a full stop and assume you can still cross in front of another vehicle, this puts you at risk for a collision.

* Always signal before you turn – It is important to alert the traffic behind you when you are planning to turn. The driver behind you needs to adjust their driving speed to allow you to complete your turn.

* Never drive while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Many times a person under the influence of these chemicals feels they can do anything. Remember how much your reaction time and thought process is affected when these are in your system.

* Always listen to the news reports during bad weather time. A motor vehicle accident is more likely to happen when the weather affects the conditions of the driving surface. Listen to the news reports as they will keep you posted, often up to the hour, on whether or not it is safe for you drive.

* Always drive the speed the posted speed limit. Driving too slow can be as hazardous as driving too fast. A motor vehicle accident involving drivers going to fast can be fatal.

When a driver does not follow the rules of the road and is driving unsafely with clear disregard for other drivers, they are considered a reckless driver.  If you or a loved one is injured by a reckless driver, or if you have been charged with reckless driving, you should contact a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help look into a number of sources to determine who was a fault.