What Lessons Have You Learned from Auto Accidents?
Jakob Miller
The Importance of Defensive Driving
As a retiree, I’ve had the time to reflect on those incidents and the valuable lessons they taught me. Allow me to share my firsthand experience and the important lessons I learned from being in an auto accident.
One incident that comes to mind happened a few years ago when I was driving down a busy highway. Out of nowhere, a reckless driver swerved into my lane, causing a collision. It was a scary and jarring experience, but I’m grateful that no one was seriously injured.
From that accident, I learned the importance of defensive driving. Sure, we can’t control the actions of others on the road, but being alert and proactive can make a world of difference. I learned to anticipate potential dangers, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and always keep my attention focused on the road ahead. It’s a lesson that has stuck with me ever since.
Another lesson I learned from that incident is the value of having comprehensive car insurance. Thankfully, I had coverage that took care of the damages to my vehicle and provided me with peace of mind. It’s worth noting that while insurance can be pricier, it’s a valuable investment to protect yourself financially in case of an accident. After all, nothing of value comes cheap, and in this case, it’s a win-win situation.
In addition to defensive driving and insurance, I also learned the importance of staying calm and composed during such stressful situations. It’s easy to let panic take over, but I realized that keeping a level head and taking the necessary steps, such as exchanging information with the other party involved and contacting the authorities, can help expedite the resolution process.
Always Pay Attention to the Road
When it comes to auto accidents, I have personally experienced a few of them in my lifetime. The most significant one was when I was a teenager and I was driving to school. I was not paying attention to the road and I ended up rear-ending another car. Thankfully, no one was injured, but I learned a valuable lesson that day: always pay attention to the road and drive safely.
It is important to remember that auto accidents can happen to anyone, and it is important to be aware of your surroundings and drive safely. Additionally, it is important to remember that even if you are not injured in an accident, there can still be significant financial and emotional consequences.
Always Get a Police Report
Always get a police report. I realize that many states won’t dispatch the police for accidents where no one is injured, but if you’re able to, get a police report. It can help your insurance recover the losses if the other person was the cause of the accident. Otherwise, it becomes your word against theirs and your insurance company is likely to have to pay for your damages, which can potentially raise your rates. You have a better chance of not having an accident affecting your rates if you can prove the other person is at fault.
Have Motor Vehicle Insurance
Many years ago, I was on my way to work in my sport utility vehicle. It was a slightly uphill climb, and there was a public utility bus in front of me, so I gave ample allowance between me and the bus. While the traffic sign showed a stop light, the bus slowly moved backward towards me. I honked loudly at the bus, warning him that he was about to hit my car.
The driver did not seem to hear me or simply did not know how to stop, and so he hit the bumper of my vehicle. When it was a go signal, the bus slowly moved forward, attempting to run away, and so I had to make a chase to prevent the bus from moving and settle the matter with the bus. Ultimately, the bus driver ran away, and the accident report had to be settled at the police station.
Fortunately, I had active motor vehicle insurance at the time, so the repair costs were mostly shouldered by the insurance company, and I had a minimal participation fee to pay. The lesson here is that no matter how careful you are on the road, there will always be people and events beyond your control that could damage your car or your life. Thus, having motor vehicle insurance that is currently in force can save you a lot of trouble.
Raymond Quisumbing
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