As the population continues to increase and the space on the roads becomes more and more limited, more accidents will occur. Similarly, as traffic slows to a crawl during rush hour, the general patience of those on the roads diminishes and tempers flare. This leads to even more accidents as drivers either become bored, inattentive – and look to their phone for entertainment – or minor slights create fierce retaliation and road rage. With 253 million cars and trucks on the road, according to the LA Times, cell phones causing at least 26 percent of collisions, according to the National Safety Council, and 66 percent of fatal traffic accidents caused by aggressive driving, according to Safe Motorist, it is no wonder that traffic fatalities rose in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With so many distracted and aggressive drivers out on the roads, it is all the more important to remain calm, rational, attentive, and to drive as defensively as possible. However, no matter how careful and courteous you may be, accidents may still be able to find you. If you have been injured by an aggressive or otherwise negligent driver, contact an experienced Columbus, Ohio, car accident attorney today for legal advice on how to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Fight or Flight Hormones and Lack of Blood FLow to the Brain
When any of us are threatened, our bodies automatically go into fight or flight mode. Stress hormones are released and your body decreases the blood flow to your brain and diverts it to your extremities in order for your muscles to perform at optimal levels. Think back on the last time you were really angry to the point of irrational. We you able to think clearly? Were you able to successfully communicate your feelings and thoughts to the person you were angry with in an intelligent, meaningful way? The answer is most likely no. That is because of that lack of blood flow to the brain. When you see someone driving who is obviously in the midst of road rage, they are behaving a completely irrational, erratic manner and the best thing you can do is steer clear. It is important to resist being sucked into the conflict, because when two vehicles with a combined weight of five tons collide, there are no winners, only losers (the same goes for a fist fight on the side of the highway). To counteract your body’s natural tendency towards fight or flight, take five slow, deep breaths in order to activate your parasympathetic nervous system. This actually helps return your body’s physiology back to a steady state, and allows you to think and behave more rationally when things get heated on the road.
Contact an Experienced Attorney if You Have Been Hit
If you or a loved one were hit and injured by a negligent driver, you may be able to receive compensation. Contact an experienced Columbus, Ohio car accident attorney today at the law offices of Ohio Car Accident Lawyers in order to discuss the legal route in your best interest.
