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What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car crash can have devastating consequences. It can result in the loss of income and benefits, massive out-of-pocket expense, and even severe injuries that require a long-term treatment.
Whether you're the victim of an auto accident or a bystander who's witnessing one, there are numerous things you can do to protect yourself and help others.
Avoiding Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it could have a dramatic impact on your safety as well as that of others. Food, texting, and grooming are just a few of the most frequently-repeated distractions.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to others who are around them. Drivers who are distracted might disregard road signs and hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues.
Distractions refer to anything that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each comes with distinct characteristics.
Visual distractions include things that distract a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or even rubbernecking a car accident. This could be dangerous, especially when a driver is traveling at highway speeds and passing pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions are also risky, particularly when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or react quickly. Consuming food while driving changing the radio station or reaching for something in the back of the car can be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions are a less obvious but just as deadly category of distractions. They can involve using a mobile phone or singing or pondering an emotionally charged scenario. They can also be signs of drowsiness which can make it hard for a driver to remain focused on the road.
Set good boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. You can do this by establishing rules and living by example.
It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk of being a distracted driver, and it's not just teens or drivers who are new. Older people, drowsy drivers and even pets can all be distractions for drivers.
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 focus on the road and how to prevent this from happening. You can also encourage them to put their cell phone in "do not distract" mode and then turn it off when they are driving.
Staying Away
Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is one of the best ways to ensure your car's safety. This can prevent collisions, and also ensure that you are protected and the people near you from injury and death.
There are several methods to ensure you're traveling at the right distance. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule. It's an easy calculation that will help you determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes about three seconds to react when another car brakes abruptly. If you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you, it could be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly applicable to truck drivers who require plenty space to stop safely before approaching an intersection. Many accidents involving semis and big trucks occur due to drivers failing to observe this rule of the road which can cause serious injuries or even fatalities for all involved.
You can also determine the distance you must follow a vehicle by counting the time it takes to reach a particular point after the vehicle at the front has passed it. You can do this by looking for an overhead road sign, tree or any other roadside marker, and watching the car in front of you pass it.
Once you've determined the time it takes your car to reach that spot after the other driver passes it, continue counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3-1,000 until get to a three-second gap between you and the car ahead.
If you're unable reach three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowed down to avoid a collision, but the extra effort is worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and following the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these collisions and other collisions which could cause serious damage to your car and the people near you.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst most common types of automobile accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that they represent almost 1/3 of all accidents and cause about 2,000 deaths every year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are much more dangerous, rear-end collisions are still a significant cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also result in soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These accidents can leave drivers with significant discomfort and pain in their back, shoulder and neck areas. They may require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to recover from.
Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means that you should be following them at a safe pace and not lag behind them.
There is a higher chances of rear-end collisions by driving too close. This is due to the fact that you won't have enough time to react to dangers like slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum following distance and larger vehicles more.
When weather or road conditions are poor rear-end collisions are much more dangerous. If you're driving through heavy snow or rain for instance, increase your distance to follow.
Make sure to check your rear-view mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on how crowded the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you determine whether the driver in front of you is slowing down or applying the brakes.
Another great habit to keep is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of parking spaces. This will allow the driver behind you to be aware of your vehicle and prevent them from swerving in their lane in order to hit you.
Always ensure that children are in the back of the vehicle while traveling with them. This will stop children from moving around in the vehicle, or becoming disoriented and distracting while you are driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Talking on auto accident lawyer no injury , or texting may result in rear-end collisions.
Maintaining Your Engine
The engine in your car is one of the most crucial parts for you as a driver however it can also be frustrating. In the event of an accident you may discover that your car's engine won't start when you turn the key.
This isn't a problem that's easy to diagnose and fix, so it's best to take your vehicle for a routine check-up at the moment the check engine light turns on. The lights will alert you in the event of a problem with the battery, alternator and temperature or other parts of your car that require attention.
If you are having difficulty starting your vehicle following a minor accident, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that shuts off the fuel pump's power. This is designed to prevent your car from lighting on fire in the event of a crash however, it could also cause damage to the engine if it is tripped.
It is possible that you won't be able to start your car after an accident as your car's engine transmission has stopped working properly. In this situation, you will require a professional in order to find out what caused the issue and fix it.
Even if you own a healthy car it is vital to run the engine often to make sure it's properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by turning off the engine and letting it warm for 30 minutes or more.
When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners and other parts to ensure they are in good working order. This will boost your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle operating smoothly.
It's also a great method to make sure your tires are at the right pressure. Properly inflated tires will allow them to grip the road more effectively and reduce the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.