Smart Habits That Can Protect Families on the Road and at Home

Want to help protect your family from preventable accidents?

Thousands of families are impacted by accidents every year. Many happen on the road. But the worst part is that most of them take place right…

In families’ homes.

Accidents are never supposed to happen. But they do, every day. Fortunately, there are smart habits every family can build that will help reduce their risks. When negligence is involved and an accident is unavoidable understanding pain and suffering damages can help families move forward after a serious injury.

Here’s what you’re going to learn:

• Why Road Safety and Home Safety Should Be Your Family’s #1 Priority
• Road Safety Habits That Keep Families Safe
• Home Safety Habits That Every Family Needs
• Necessary Actions After Prevention Fails

Why Road Safety and Home Safety Should Be Your Family’s #1 Priority

Let’s be clear…

It can be easy to think accidents happen to other families. Not ours. But accidents aren’t picky. They don’t discriminate based on income or geography. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 39,345 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024.

But motor vehicles only account for half of all preventable accidents.

Statistics from the National Safety Council show that injuries that happened at home or in the community caused roughly 175,300 deaths in 2023. Over double the amount of deaths that occurred on the road.

What happens when a family member suffers a serious injury…? When someone else’s negligence leads to harm pain and suffering damages enter the equation. Pain and suffering refers to physical and emotional damages like reduced quality of life and mental anguish. They provide compensation above and beyond hospital bills or lost wages. Discussing pain and suffering damages with an experienced accident lawyer early on can help families understand what they may be entitled to and make sure no detail is forgotten.

Prevention is the best option, however.

Road Safety Habits That Keep Families Safe

Vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of injury to families across the country. But developing and maintaining a few safe driving habits can drastically lower the chances of being in a crash. Follow these tips to keep your loved ones safer on the road.

Get Rid of Distracted Driving

Living in a hyper-connected world makes staying unplugged difficult, especially for people who are used to being on their phone all day. But few things are more dangerous than distracted driving.

Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At highway speeds, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

Put the phone away:

• Silence it or set your phone to Do Not Disturb
• Enter GPS directions before you start driving
• Let your passenger handle texts or calls

You can’t control other drivers, but you can control the safety of your own family. Create a no-phone policy for everyone who drives your vehicles.

Make Seatbelts and Car Seats Non-Negotiable

Seatbelts and child safety seats are one of the most effective ways to reduce serious injuries in a crash. Make no mistake, vehicles will crash. Even the safest drivers encounter close calls. But using seatbelts and correct car seats keeps family members secure.

Remember: the vehicle doesn’t move until everyone is buckled up.

Child safety seats should always be properly installed and fit for the child’s size. Not wearing a seatbelt was a factor in nearly half of passenger deaths in vehicle crashes.

Don’t Drive Tired or Impaired

Driving drunk: everyone knows it’s dangerous. But did you know driving tired is equally as bad? Being awake for 18 hours has the same effects on your reactions as having a couple drinks.

If you’re going on a long road trip, plan to switch drivers often. Give everyone a chance to take a nap before getting behind the wheel.

And please… always put safety first and use a designated driver if you plan to drink.

Home Safety Habits That Every Family Needs

Your family spends a significant amount of time at home. It should be a place where they feel safe and secure. But statistically speaking, home is actually where most families experience a preventable accident. Take these steps to change that statistic for your loved ones.

Falls Take Precautions

Falling is the leading cause of home injuries. In 2023 alone there were over 33,000 fatalities as a result of a fall. Children and older adults suffer the majority of injuries.

Use these tips to fall-proof your home:

• Install grab bars and hand rails by stairs and in bathrooms
• Put nonslip mats on tile or hardwood floors
• Securely tape down loose cords and rugs
• Add adequate lighting to stairways and hallways

These measures are inexpensive and easy to do. Take some time this weekend to safeguard your family against falling.

Secure Dangerous Materials

The number one cause of preventable home fatalities is poisoning. Often times this happens to children who gain access to medications or household chemicals.

Keep chemicals in their original labeled bottles. Lock up medicine and make sure cleaning products are out of reach from children.

Consider using child-proof caps on any medication your family keeps in the house.

Install Safety Devices

Every family should have working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers on premises. Check the batteries when you change the clocks in spring and fall.

One tip most people don’t think about…

Test your alarms every month, even if the batteries are new. A battery can die without you knowing and still leave your family vulnerable. Stay diligent and your family will thank you.

What To Do When Prevention Fails…

No family is perfect. Sometimes accidents are just waiting to happen. But taking immediate and correct actions after an injury can help families recover both physically and financially.

Pain and suffering damages are awarded when someone else’s negligence caused the injury. They account for hospital bills, lost wages and other expenses incurred because of the accident. They also go one step further.

Compensation may be available for:

• Physical pain
• Emotional trauma
• Lost quality of life
• Mental anguish

Families should write down every detail about the incident and keep good records of medical treatment. Take photos. Speak to witnesses. Scrape together whatever information you can. Then, contact a knowledgeable legal professional to learn your family’s options.

Acting sooner rather than later allows the injured more time to focus on recovery. Instead of worrying about the financial stability of your family.

Bringing It Home…

Safety doesn’t have to cost your family money. In most cases you likely have everything you need to improve your safety habits right now.

Staying safe on the road starts with your cellphone. At home, make sure you child-proof your space. Teach your kids as they grow to do the same for their friends.

Once you have these basics mastered you’ll see just how simple it can be to live safely. When accidents do happen, knowing how to manage pain and suffering damages can help your family recover when faced with serious injury.

Your family is your world. Start protecting them today.