They are usually the result of a chain of bad decisions. The key to accident prevention lies in recognizing, and breaking, that chain. Step one, evaluate. When faced with a decision, check to see if it is being made as a result of a hazardous thought pattern. Remember, everyone is subject to each of the thought patterns.
Accidents are almost always the result of a series of events and bad decisions.
Step three, verify. Before committing to a course of action always check to see if there is a way out if things don't turn out as expected. Never leave yourself with only one alternative. In the course of flight training we spend significant effort on learning how to complete a procedure. Most cross countries are flown to the planned destination, most landings to touchdown, and most instrument approaches to completion.