Lehigh Valley Vehicle Accident Blog

Car accidents can leave you on edge for months or even years. Some people actually wind up with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Others find it impossible to get back behind the wheel again.

If this is something you have been dealing with, here are three tips that may help:

1. Don't be afraid of medication. Some medications can have a drastic impact on anxiety and depression. Think of it the same way you would think about any other type of illness. Talk to your doctor.
2. Work with a therapist. You may need to work through some of your feelings and emotions with a professional. This is especially true if someone died in the accident. Don't think that you just have to tough it out and get through all of this on your own.
3. Take care of yourself. Be patient. Remember that getting over these types of things take time. Get exercise. Eat healthy foods. Do not fall into destructive patterns, like eating too much or turning to alcohol. Take up new hobbies to get your mind off of it. Spend time with people you love. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out how focusing on yourself and improving your life can actually help you feel better in time.

Are you thinking of getting a motorcycle with a sidecar? Perhaps you like the stability of the vehicle, which has a wider stance and does not tip over as easily as a motorcycle. You see it as a safer alternative, while still giving you the sense of open freedom that you're after.

If you do get one, experts warn that sidecars and motorcycles react very differently on the road. Make sure you have plenty of experience before driving around other traffic. Do not assume, as many people do, that the sidecar is automatically safer and easier to use.

Truck driver fatigue is a serious issue that can cause catastrophic accidents. All it takes is a split second of nodding off for a wreck to occur. Even drivers who do not completely fall asleep could cause accidents if they do not react quickly enough to changes and hazards on the road.

So why do truck drivers get so tired behind the wheel? There are many reasons, some of which include the following:

• Working too late at night. Your body naturally gets tired after midnight and before six o'clock in the morning. This can also happen from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., so even a standard afternoon drive can be dangerous.
• Mental and physical exertion. Driving for long hours is mentally taxing, and helping with loading and unloading is a physical challenge.
• Not getting enough sleep. Many drivers have to sleep in their trucks, on the road, and they may not get as much sleep as they would at home in bed.
• Working long hours. Extended hours and delays can make for very long work days. Even responsible drivers wear down.
• Strenuous activities outside of work. For instance, truck drivers may take up jogging or running to try to stay in shape and combat having a relatively sedentary job. These hobbies, while healthy, can make them more tired when they settle into the truck.

You cannot avoid all car accidents. It's impossible. Human error just plays too large of a role.

However, attentive driving could help people avoid more accidents than they do right now. Many people get hit due to other's mistakes when they could have taken simple action to prevent the crash. Here are seven tips that can help you:

1. Pause at a green light. Look both ways. Yes, you have the right of way, but look out for red light runners every time.
2. Turn or enter traffic slowly and carefully. Turn the music down and listen to traffic around you as you do so.
3. Always keep your hands on the wheel. Be ready to react instantly when something goes wrong. That split second it takes to grab the wheel could be too much.
4. Do not count on backup cameras or mirrors. Use them, as they can help, but also turn and look before you drive.
5. Look farther ahead of your car than you feel is necessary. Your eyes should really keep scanning the place you'll be in 10 seconds. Look for hazards long before you actually approach them.
6. Never get too close to the next car. Tailgating does not just mean being half a second back. Two seconds is too close. Aim for three or four.
7. Be kind and courteous. Move over to let others merge. Let people turn ahead of you. Use your horn sparingly. Never escalate a situation, even if you were not in the wrong.