People often find it hard to believe that they are most likely to get into an accident near their home. Some even insist that this statistic is a myth. It is easy to understand this reluctance because all of us regard the home and its surrounding neighborhood as a kind of safe haven. However, if you think about this for a moment, you will realize that any area where people reside is a home and safe haven for someone. If it’s safe for him, why not for you as well?
Your answer to this question might be that your home and neighborhood is safe for you but not for nonresidents because you know your neighborhood like the back of your hand. Yet it’s precisely that familiarity that makes you more likely to get into an accident. Here’s why:
You Are Less Cautious Near Your Home
If you are like most people about to go on a long road trip, you will check your tire pressures, engine fluids, and take care of any outstanding car problems before embarking. Since you do most of your driving near your home, why isn’t your car already in tip-top shape? Driving in a car with low tire pressures or with some other outstanding problem increases your chances of having an accident which non-coincidentally, will happen near your home. Similarly, many people who buckle up when driving cross-country won’t bother with their seat belts when going to a local gas station.
Most of Your Driving Is Near Your Home
Most people prefer short rather than long commutes to work. Therefore, people generally seek work or a home location that shortens this distance. This is why the average work commute is about 15 miles one way. This commute occurs five or more days per week and always begins and ends at your home. In addition, getting food and home supplies as well as driving your kids around occurs locally in your neighborhood. It only makes sense that any car accident that happens will occur where you do most of your driving.
Routine and Familiarity Dulls the Mind and Your Driving
If you have ever driven to a local destination and had little or no recollection of getting there, your experience is not unusual. Almost everyone is guilty of driving on autopilot where reflexes, pattern recognition, and muscle memory get them to their destination. This autopilot mode makes it possible for you to think of far away thoughts or engage in cell phone conversations while driving.
However, that thinking part of your brain that’s engaged elsewhere is needed for anticipating road dangers and handling the unexpected. Should a sudden road emergency occur, your reflexes, pattern recognition, and muscle memory (your autopilot) will drive your car straight into another car, or into a fallen tree, or off the road.
Familiarity with an area does not change the fact that driving is a dangerous activity regardless of where it is done. Stay sharp when you drive, especially on your “home turf.” If you were injured in an accident because of a distracted or negligent driver, don’t hesitate to get the help of a D C accident lawyer. The Law Offices of John Critzos, II have extensive accident litigation experience that can get you the compensation that you deserve. To discuss your case, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Tags: accident attorney, accident lawyer, anne arundel county accident attorney, anne arundel county accident lawyer, anne arundel county personal injury attorney, auto accident, automobile accident, charles county accident attorney, charles county accident lawyer, charles county personal injury attorney, d c accident attorney, d c accident lawyer, dc accident attorney, dc accident lawyer, eastern shore accident attorney, eastern shore accident lawyer, injury attorney, injury lawyer, kent county accident attorney, kent county accident lawyer, mary's county accident attorney, mary's county accident lawyer, maryland accident attorney, maryland accident lawyer, Maryland personal injury attorney, maryland personal injury lawyer, montgomery county accident attorney, montgomery county accident lawyer, motorcycle accident, oxon hill personal injury attorney, prince georges county accident attorney, prince georges county accident lawyer, prince georges county personal injury attorney, st, traffic accident, traffic crash, truck accident, virginia accident attorney, virginia accident lawyer
