What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can be a devastating event. It could result in loss of income, benefits and significant expenses out of pocket.
If you're a victim of an auto accident or who is watching one, there are a variety of ways to keep yourself safe and help others.
Avoid distractions
If you're distracted when driving, it can have a dramatic impact on your safety and that of others. Some of the most common distractions include texting, eating and grooming.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it may cause serious injuries and death for those around them. Drivers who are distracted can ignore road signs or hazards or miss out on unexpected dangers.
Distractions are anything that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be physical, manual or cognitive and each has its own distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions include things that distract drivers from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or rubbernecking in a car accident. This could be very dangerous particularly when the driver is driving at highway speeds or they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can be very harmful, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and cannot react quickly enough. Food while driving can be a major distraction as can switching the radio station, or reaching for something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions are a less visible but equally dangerous category of distractions. They can be caused by conversations on the phone or singing, or even thinking about a personal issue. They could also be a sign of drowsiness that can make it difficult for a driver to stay focused on the road.
Set boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. This can be done by modeling behavior and setting rules that limit the time spent on screens.
It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk for being distracted by a driver, and it's not just teenagers or drivers who are new. Older drivers, tired drivers and even pets can all be distractions for drivers.
If you know someone who is prone to distraction while driving, be sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their focus on the road and how to stop this from happening. You can also suggest to your friend to shut off their phone and turn it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they drive.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in front of you is among of the most important things you can do to ensure your car's safety. This can prevent a collision, and ensure that you are protected and the people around you from injury and death.
There are several ways you can ensure that you're driving at the right distance. You can apply the 3-second formula to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you'll need around three seconds to react when a vehicle suddenly brakes. If you are too close to the vehicle in front of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially applicable to truck drivers who require plenty of room to stop safely at a traffic stop. This rule of the road is often ignored by drivers, resulting in serious injuries, and sometimes deaths.
In addition to the three-second rule, you can also determine your following distance mentally by finding a fixed object and counting how long it takes you to arrive at the same place after the car ahead of you passes it. You can do this by looking for an overhead road sign, a tree, or any other roadside marker, and observing the car in front of you drive by it.
Continue counting. Once you've decided the time it will take you to reach the spot after a car has passed, start counting. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 31,000 until you've reached three seconds of gap between you and the car ahead of you.
If you're unable to achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you get there. This could mean slowed down to avoid a collision but the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and utilizing the 3-second rule, you can avoid these accidents and other collisions that could cause severe damage to your vehicle and those near you.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most frequent types of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account for almost a third of all accidents and cause the death of 2,000 people each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more deadly, rear-end collisions are still a significant cause for injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
These accidents can cause drivers to experience significant discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. They usually require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to heal from.
The best method to avoid a rear-end collision is to stay away from other vehicles. This means following them at a safe speed and not slowing down.
Driving too closely can increase your risk of a rear-end collision because you won't have enough time to notice and react to hazards, like slow or stopped traffic front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance for vehicles that are primarily passenger vehicles, and greater for larger vehicles.
When road or weather conditions are poor, rear-end collisions are more dangerous. If you're driving during snow or heavy rain, for instance, increase the distance you follow.
You should regularly check your rear-view mirror to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on how crowded the traffic is in front of you. This will let you know whether the car in front of you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of parking lots. This will assist the driver behind you see your car and stop them from swerving in their vehicle to avoid hitting you.
If you're traveling in a vehicle with children, you must ensure that you keep them in the back seat of the vehicle. This will prevent children from bouncing around in the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while you are driving.
It's also a good idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Talking on the phone, or texting can cause rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine of your car might be one of the most important elements for you as a driver, however it could also be one of the most frustrating parts. If you are involved in an accident, your vehicle's engine might not start after you turn the key or press START.
This is not a problem that's simple to spot and repair, so it's recommended to bring your car for a routine check-up as soon as the check engine light comes on. The lights will illuminate the car if it has issues in the areas of battery temperature, temperature alternator or in any other area.
If you're having difficulty starting your vehicle following an accident that isn't too serious, it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts the fuel pump's power. This switch is designed to prevent your car from catching fire in the case of a collision, but can also damage your engine if it's tripped.
Another reason you might not be not able to start your car after an accident is that the crash could have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop functioning properly. In this case, you will require a professional to determine the cause of the issue and then fix it.
Even if you have an excellent car it is essential to rev the engine every once or twice to ensure that it's properly lubricated. This can be achieved by turning the engine off gently and letting it warm for 30 seconds.
It is a good idea to use this time to examine all hoses, belts and air cleaners in your vehicle to ensure they're operating properly. This will increase the efficiency of your vehicle and ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly.
auto accident lawyer fees is also a great technique to ensure that your tires are inflated properly. When your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and reduce the chances of a tire blowout or other damage.