What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can be a devastating event. It can result in the loss of income and benefits, significant cost out of pocket, and severe injuries that require a long-term treatment.
If you're a victim in an auto accident or a bystander who's witnessing one, there are numerous things you can do to keep yourself safe and help others.
Beware of Distractions
Distracted driving can have a serious impact on your safety as well as the safety of other drivers. eating, texting, and grooming are among the most common distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could cause grave injuries and death for those near them. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to disregard dangers and unexpected problems in front of them or to overlook important road signs.
Distractions refer to anything that diverts drivers' attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be physical as well as cognitive, manual or both and each type is unique in its own way.
Visual distractions are the things that take a driver's eyes off the road, like using a GPS or looking at the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. This could be very dangerous, especially when the driver is travelling at a high speed or when they are traveling by other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions are also dangerous, particularly if drivers don't pay attention to the road, or do not react quickly. Drinking while driving, changing the radio station, and reaching for something in the backseat can be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions are not as obvious but equally dangerous category of distractions. They can be caused by using the phone or a song, or thinking about a stressful situation. They could also be a sign of drowsiness, which could make it difficult for a driver to concentrate on the road.
The best way to avoid distracting behaviors while driving is to establish good boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be accomplished by modeling behavior and establishing rules that restrict screen time.
It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk for being distracted while driving, and it's not just teens or drivers who are new. Even pets, older individuals and motorists who are drowsy can cause distractions while driving.
You can also encourage them to set their cell phone on "do not disturb" mode and turn it off while they are driving. You can also help your friend to switch off their phone and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode while they are driving.
Keeping Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front of you is among of the best things you can do for your car's safety. This will help avoid a collision and protect you and those around you from injury or even death.
There are a variety of ways to ensure you're following the proper distance when driving. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule. It's a an easy calculation that can aid in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that you need around three seconds to respond if another vehicle brakes suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the direction of you and you're not close enough, you won't have enough time to stop in a safe manner before a collision occurs.
This is especially true for truck drivers, who need plenty of space to brake safely as they approach an end. Many accidents involving semis or large rigs occur because drivers fail to follow this road rule, which can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities for everyone involved.
You can also calculate the distance required to follow a car by calculating the time it takes you to get to a specific location after the vehicle in the front has passed by it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree, or other roadside marker and then watching the car in front of you pass it.
Once you've established how long it takes for your car to reach that spot after the other car passes it, start counting again. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 3,001 until you have reached three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
If you're unable to achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowing down to avoid an accident, but it's worth the effort.
The most frequent rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front. You can avoid collisions and other accidents by increasing the distance you follow.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions are responsible for more than a third of all accidents and cause around 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.
While front-end collisions can be more deadly, rear end collisions can result in serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause whiplash-like injuries to soft tissues, for example.
These accidents can leave drivers with significant discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulder and back areas. automobile accident attorney near me require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages in order to heal.
The best method to avoid rear-end collisions is to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. This means that you should follow behind them at a reasonable speed and not to tailgate them.
If you drive too close, it can increase the chance of a rear-end collision as you may not have enough time to notice and react to dangers, like slower or stopped traffic in ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends that drivers maintain a three-second minimum following distance and larger vehicles more.
Rear-end collisions are particularly dangerous when weather or road conditions are adverse. If you're driving in extreme rain or snow for instance you should extend your following distance and exercise extra care.
To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rear-view mirror often depending on how congested the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you determine whether the driver behind you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Another good habit to adopt is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or pulling out of parking lots. This will enable the driver behind you see your car and stop them from swerving in their lane in order to hit you.
If you are traveling in a car with children, make sure you keep them in the back of the vehicle. This will stop children from bouncing around in the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while you are driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Disturbing conversations on the phone or texting could lead to rear-end collisions.
Making sure your engine is running
The engine in your car could be one of the most important components to you as a driver, however it could also be among the most difficult parts. In the event of an accident you may discover that your car's engine doesn't start when you turn the key.
The issue isn't simple to fix or diagnose, so you should take your vehicle in as soon when the light appears. The lights will notify you in the event of a problem with the battery, alternator and temperature or other parts of your car that require attention.
If you're experiencing difficulty getting your car started after an accident, it could be because of a tripped inertial control that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to prevent your vehicle from catching fire in the incident of a collision but it can also damage the engine if it is tripped.
It is possible that you won't be able to start your car after an accident due to the fact that your vehicle's engine transmission has stopped functioning properly. In this case you'll have to seek the assistance of a mechanic to determine what caused the issue and fix it before you can start your car again.
Even if your car has an engine that's in good shape is still necessary to check it every once in a while to make sure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be done by switching the engine on with a gentle touch and letting it warm for 30 minutes.
This is the time to inspect all belts, hoses and cleaners in your vehicle to make sure they're operating properly. This will help improve your gas mileage as well as ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly.
It's also a great way to ensure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Properly inflated tires will allow them to be more effective on the road and reduce the chance of a blowout, or any other damage.