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What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car crash can have devastating effects. It could result in loss of income, benefits and significant expenses out of pocket.
If you're a victim in an auto accident or a bystander who's witnessing one, there are several ways you can protect yourself and help others.
Beware of Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it could have a dramatic impact on your safety and that of others. eating, texting, and grooming are just a few of the most common distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it can result in serious injuries and death for the people around them. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected complications that are right in front of them, or to miss important road signs.
Distractions are any activity that diverts drivers' attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be visual or cognitive, and each comes with their own distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions are those that take a driver's eyes off the road, such as using a GPS or looking at a billboard or rubbernecking an accident. This could be risky particularly when a driver is driving at highway speeds and passing pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can be harmful, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road and do not react quickly enough. While driving, eating is a huge distraction and can be a distraction, as could changing the radio station or searching for something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions can be just as harmful as other distractions. These distractions can include calling or singing, or thinking about an emotionally charged event. They could also be signs of drowsiness that can make it difficult for a driver to concentrate on the road.
The best way to stay clear of distracting behavior while driving is to set boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can accomplish this by setting guidelines and modeling.
It's important to remember that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver and it's not just teenagers or drivers who are new. Older drivers, tired drivers and even pets can all be potential distractions while driving.
If you have a friend or relative who is susceptible to distraction while driving, make sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their focus to the road and how to avoid this happening. You can also help your friend to shut off their mobile and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they drive.
Keep Your Distance
One of the most important actions you can take to ensure your car's safety while driving is to maintain an appropriate distance between yourself and any vehicle ahead of you. This will prevent the possibility of a collision, and also protect your passengers and yourself from injury or even death.
There are several ways to make sure that you're taking the right distance when driving. One way is to use the 3-second rule, which is a simple calculation that can help you determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes three seconds for you to react when another car brakes abruptly. If you are too close to the car ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially true for truck drivers, who need ample space to safely brake when approaching the stop. Many accidents involving semis and big rigs occur because drivers fail to follow this road rule and could result in serious injuries or even fatalities for everyone involved.
In addition to using the three-second rule, you may also measure your distance following by finding an object that is fixed and then calculating how long it takes you to arrive at the same spot after the vehicle ahead of you passes it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, a tree, or other roadside marker and watching the vehicle ahead of you go by it.
Continue counting. Once you have determined the time it will take your vehicle to get to that spot after a car has passed, start counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 21,000 and then 3,001 until you have reached the gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
If you're unable achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. It could mean slowed down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front of them. By increasing your following distance and using the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these collisions and other collisions that can cause serious damage to your vehicle and those surrounding you.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions account for more than a third of all accidents and result in 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are less fatal, rear-end collisions can be still a significant cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions could also cause soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These accidents could cause drivers to be afflicted with severe discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. These injuries usually require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages in order to recover.
automotive accident lawyer near me to avoid a rear-end collision is to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. This means you must follow behind them at a reasonable speed and not to tailgate them.
Being too fast can increase the chance of a rear-end collision since you may not have enough time to see and respond to dangers, such as slow or stopped traffic front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that drivers maintain a three-second minimum following distance and larger vehicles more.
When weather or road conditions are bad rear-end collisions can be more dangerous. If you're driving in heavy snow or rain for instance, you should increase your distance to follow.
To avoid a rear-end collision, make sure you check your rear-view mirror often depending on how busy the traffic is in front of you. This will allow you to determine if the driver behind you is slowing down or applying the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or to pull away from a lot. This lets the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and assist them in avoiding a swerve off the lane and cause a collision with you.
Always keep children in the back of the vehicle when you travel with them. This will prevent them from bouncing about the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving.
It is recommended to keep your phone off the road when driving and refrain from using it as a distraction. Talking or texting on your phone can be a significant contributor to rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car is one of the most important parts for you as a motorist however, it can also be a hassle. If you are involved in an accident, the engine of your car might not begin after you turn the key or press START.
This isn't an issue that's simple to spot and fix, so it's best to bring your car to a mechanic when the check engine light comes on. The lights will be alerted you if your vehicle is experiencing an issue in the area of battery temperature, temperature, alternator or in any other area.
If you have difficulties starting your vehicle following a minor accident it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts the fuel pump's power. This is designed to prevent your car from catching fire in the event of a collision however, it could also cause damage to your engine should it be activated.
Another reason why you may not be capable of starting your engine after an accident is that the crash could have caused your car's transmission to cease functioning properly. In this case you'll need the help of a mechanic to figure out the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you are able to start your car once more.
Even if you own a healthy car, it is important to run the engine now and then to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be achieved by turning the engine on gently and allow it to warm for 30 seconds.
When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they're in good working order. This will boost your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
This is a great way to ensure that your tires are properly inflated. If your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and lessen the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.