It's hard to predict if or when you'll be in a car accident in Mountlake Terrace, but there are things you can do physically and mentally every time you get in the driver's seat to minimize the severity of a crash. Your health and safety, and the health and safety of your passengers, depend on you being alert, aware, and prepared in the unfortunate event of a car crash. Every time you get in the car, there are things you should be doing to prevent such accidents.

make sure you are mentally ready to drive in Mountlake Terrace

Before you even get in your car, make sure you are mentally ready to drive. Avoid driving if you're tired or particularly upset as you won't be able to completely focus on the task at hand. Some medications cause drowsiness, and you should avoid driving if you are taking them.

In the car, don't allow kids to fight or climb around the car. Use car seats for children and make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelts before you even leave the driveway. Keep distractions to a minimum. Avoid talking or texting on your cell phone (which is against the law in several states), and keep your hands free so they can stay on the steering wheel.

As for the car itself, make sure you maximize its safety features to ensure the best possible scenario in the event of an accident. Front airbags, which have been required since 1999, will help keep your head from hitting the steering wheel and windshield. Adjust the headrest on your seat to align with the back of your head, not your neck. The headrest should also be as close to your head as possible. This will help support your head from being snapped back and forth and the neck from folding-and minimize any chance of whiplash-in a car crash. Side airbags, which are not required, are a great addition to any vehicle, so consider adding this feature if you're in the market for a new car.

In addition to airbags and taking the initiative to adjust your headrest properly, consider investing in a vehicle with a sound structure. Anything with crumple zones, shock-absorbing interiors, reinforced roofs, and protective pillars are all good safety features to have in a vehicle. Electronic stability control and an anti-lock braking system offer ways for your car to control itself in dangerous situations.

It is important to do what you can to prevent car accidents, and paying attention to the condition and features of your car, as well as your driving environment, is key to keeping injuries to a minimum in the event of a crash. Nonetheless, accidents do happen, so if you are in one, seek medical advice right away to ensure you haven't been injured. Most cars can withstand a crash of 8 to 12 miles per hour without any damage, but more than half of all whiplash injuries happen in these crashes. Your car may not sustain any lasting damage, but always check in with your upper cervical chiropractor and medical practitioner to make sure that you, too, are as healthy as possible before getting back in the driver's seat.