What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can have devastating consequences. It can involve loss of income and benefits, significant out-of-pocket expenses, and serious injuries which require extensive treatment. You can assist yourself and others by remaining secure if you're the victim of a car crash or a witness. Avoid distractions Distracted driving can have a serious impact on both your safety as well as that of other drivers. Food, texting, and grooming are just a few of the most common distractions. Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to others who are around them. This is due to distracted driving that can cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected problems in front of them or miss important road warning signs. Distractions are anything that takes a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be either visual or manual, and each type has its own unique characteristics. Visual distractions are the things that take a driver's eyes off the road, for example, using a GPS, looking at a billboard or rubbernecking into an accident. This could be extremely dangerous particularly when the driver is driving at a high speed or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions are also dangerous, particularly if drivers aren't paying attention to the road, or do not react quickly. Driving while eating can be very distracting and can be a distraction, as could changing the radio station, or reaching to something behind the car. Cognitive distractions are a lesser-known but just as deadly category of distractions. These can be distractions like using a mobile phone, singing, or thinking about an emotionally charged event. They could also be a sign of drowsiness. This can make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road. Set boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. This can be accomplished by living by example and establishing rules to limit screen time. It's important to be aware that everyone is at risk for being distracted by a driver, and it's not just teenagers or drivers who are new. Even pets, older people and motorists who are drowsy are all distractions while driving. If you have a friend or relative who is susceptible to distraction while driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eyes to the road and how to avoid this happening. You can also advise your friend to shut off their mobile and put it on do-not-disturb mode when they are driving. Staying Away Maintaining auto accident attorney near me from the vehicle in the direction of you is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your vehicle's safety. This can prevent a collision and shield you and those around you from injury or even death. There are a variety of ways to make sure that you're taking the proper distance when driving. One way is to use the 3-second rule, which is a an easy calculation that can help you determine if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you'll need about three seconds to react when another vehicle abruptly brakes. If you're too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won't have enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens. This is especially true for truck drivers who require plenty space to stop safely at a traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis and large rigs are caused by drivers who fail to follow this rule of the road, which can lead to grave injuries or even deaths for everyone involved. In addition to using the three-second rule you can also determine your distance to follow by locating a fixed object and counting the time it takes you to arrive at the same location after the vehicle in front of you crosses it. You can do this by locating an overhead road sign, a tree, or any other roadside marker, and then watching the car in front of you drive by it. Once you've established how long it takes for your car to get there after the other driver passes it, start counting again. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3-1,000 until have a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle in front. If you're unable reach three seconds, you can increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowing down to avoid the risk of crashing but it's worth the extra effort. The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front. You can avoid collisions as well as others by extending your distance of following. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions rank as the most frequent auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they account for nearly a third of all crashes that result in approximately 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are much more dangerous, rear-end collisions are still a significant source of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions are also prone to a myriad of soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash. These injuries can cause severe pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas. These injuries often require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages in order to recover. Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means that you should follow behind them at a safe pace and not tailgate them. Driving too closely can increase the risk of a rear-end collision since you may not have enough time to see and respond to dangers, like slow or stopped traffic in ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance for passenger cars, and even more for larger vehicles. When road or weather conditions are bad rear-end collisions are more risky. If you're driving during snow or heavy rain, for instance, you may need to increase the distance you follow. To avoid a rear-end collision, look at your rear-view mirror regularly, depending on how congested the traffic is in front of you. This will allow you to determine whether the driver behind you is accelerating or applying the brakes. Another good practice is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving parking spaces. This will allow the driver behind you see your car and stop them from swerving into their path to hit you. If you're in a vehicle with children, always make sure you keep them in the back of the vehicle. This will prevent children from moving around in the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving. It is an excellent idea to keep your phone off the road while driving and avoid using it as a distraction. Talking or texting on your phone could be a major contributor to rear-end collisions. Keeping Your Engine Running The engine in your car is among the most vital components for you as a motorist However, it can be frustrating. In the case of an accident, you may discover that your car's engine doesn't start when you turn the key. This isn't a problem that's simple to spot and fix, so it's best to take your vehicle for a routine check-up as soon as the check engine light comes on. The lights will inform you in the event of a problem with the alternator, battery or temperature, or any other part of your car that need attention. If you're having trouble starting your car after an accident that was minor, it could be because of a tripped inertial switch that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is intended to safeguard your car from catching fire in the event of an impact however it can also cause damage to your engine if it gets activated. You might not 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 situation, you will need to consult a mechanic in order to find out what caused the issue and then fix it. Even if you have an engine that's in good shape however, it's important to check it out once a while to make sure that it's lubricated properly and is working. This can be done by turning off the engine and letting it warm for about 30 seconds or for a few minutes. When you do this, you're taking the chance to check all of your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they are in good operating condition. This will help improve your gas mileage as well as ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly. It's also a great method to make sure your tires have the proper pressure. If your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they can be more stable on the road and decrease the chance of blowouts or other damage.
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