With 143 million commuters taking to the roads each day, it’s not too shocking to hear some of the statistics regarding traffic fatalities and injuries. Reckless, impaired, and distracted drivers are wild-card variables that are responsible for many accidents. Thankfully, there are measures parents can take to protect their loved ones in the event of a wreck.
For top tips on parenting, lifestyle, and wellness, listen to episodes of the That’s Total Mom Sense podcast!
Buckle up the right way.
You know that you have to wear your seatbelt, and you also know you’re required to have your youngest passengers safely in a car seat. But if you are not buckling them in the right way, you aren’t doing anything to protect them. Choose a car seat that is right for your child’s age, height, and weight. Most experts recommend rear-facing for as long as possible, and all car seats must be installed correctly. SafeRide4Kids suggests checking your owner’s manual before installation. You can also contact your local fire department to see if they have anyone available to perform a seat safety check.
Harness the power of apps.
Smartphone apps have the ability to do more than just entertain you and your family; these apps can also help protect your family in the event of an accident. There are voice-activated emergency applications that allow you to contact emergency services without having to touch a button. Accurate location services are also helpful for determining your exact location. To ensure your smartphone has enough power to run these apps, pick up a super-fast car charger for your vehicle.
Make sure you have “full” auto coverage.
Having thorough auto coverage is one of the best ways to ensure your family is protected financially in the event of an accident. The Balance explains that although a “full” or “complete” car insurance policy doesn’t exist, these colloquial terms usually refer to a combination of packages that work to thoroughly cover families when combined. Typically, “full” coverage is acknowledged as the combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. When combined, these coverages help protect your family from lawsuits, exorbitant medical expenses and more.
Create a savings account for medical emergencies.
Medical bills and damage costs can pile up when you are in a wreck. Serious injuries could even impact your ability to earn an income if experienced for a prolonged period of time. Even if you don’t sustain any physical injuries, your wallet is still impacted by the rise of insurance premiums and the cost of fixing your vehicle.
With all that in mind, parents need to create a separate emergency savings account to help protect against the financial burden that comes post-accident. Look for an account with a good interest rate, and start setting money aside. It’s recommended for families to have a minimum of three months worth of living expenses set aside.
Have your vehicle inspected regularly.
Car manufacturers understand that to some extent accidents are inevitable, and proper security measures need to be in place to protect drivers and passengers against these occurrences. Tires Plus points out that as a car owner, it’s your responsibility to verify your vehicle is in proper working order by having it inspected on a regular basis. Fully-functioning brakes, operational airbags, fit tires, and many other features help to keep your family safer when an accident can’t be avoided.
If car maintenance isn’t your thing, there are easy ways to keep on top of things. Consider adding some apps to help. Not only can you log the whens, wheres and whats of work completed, but you can also do everything from monitoring your gas usage to estimating how much you’ll spend on a needed repair.
Unfortunately, parents can’t do anything to guarantee that their families won’t experience a car wreck at some point in their lives. However, there are some steps you can take to protect your family both physically and financially in the event of an accident. Gather your resources and stay on top of things so you and yours will be safe and sound.
Author: Guest post by Karen Weeks
