Things to Keep in Mind While Driving in Houston After the Stay-at-Home Order Is Lifted

Starting in early May, Governor Abbott began to lift some of the restrictions that were put in place by the statewide stay-at-home order. Initially, the ease in restrictions will allow many businesses to open up, but will limit the maximum number of people who can be inside at any one time. Regardless, as Texas starts to open up, there will be many more people on the road. And for many of these motorists, it will have been quite some time since they were last behind the wheel.

Given this reality, there is no better time for motorists to review a list of safe driving habits:

• Avoid distractions: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of Texas car accidents. While there are many types of distractions, the most commonly cited distracting behaviors are using a cell phone, talking to passengers, daydreaming, eating, grooming and changing the radio station.
• Avoid drowsy driving: Drowsy driving is one of the top causes for head-on collisions. Driving while tired serious compromises a motorist’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. In fact, studies have shown that a drowsy driver’s level of impairment is roughly the same as a drunk driver.
• Slow down: While everyone may be in a hurry to get out of the house after being locked up for weeks on end, speeding greatly increases the chances of being involved in a serious car accident.
• Watch out for trucks: For many motorists who have not driven in a while, driving around large semi-trucks may be intimidating. Motorists should be sure to leave truck drivers ample room and to stay out of the driver’s blond spot.
• Wear a seatbelt: All adult motorists are required to wear a seatbelt under Texas law. Seatbelts have been shown to reduce the chances of serious injury or death following a Texas car accident.

Of course, there is only so much that a motorist can do to prevent a car accident. To a large degree, motorists have to trust that other drivers are also doing their part to make Texas roads safe. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Those who have been injured in a Texas car accident may be entitled to monetary compensation through a Texas personal injury lawsuit. To successfully obtain compensation in a personal injury claim, an injured motorist must be able to show that the defendant violated a duty of care that was owed to the accident victim, and that the defendant’s breach of that duty resulted in the victim’s injuries. While this may sound straightforward in theory, in practice, many of these cases are made much more complicated once insurance companies get involved.