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.
Whether you're the victim of an auto accident or a bystander who's watching one, there are numerous ways to keep yourself safe and help others.
Avoid Distractions
If you're distracted when driving, it could have a dramatic impact on your safety as well as that of others. Eating, texting, or grooming are just a few of the most frequent distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it can result in serious injuries and deaths for those in their vicinity. This is because distracted driving may cause drivers to disregard dangers and unexpected issues in front of them or miss important road signs.
Distractions can be anything that diverts the driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control. They could be visual or cognitive, and each has distinct characteristics.
Visual distractions include things that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. This could be risky, especially if the driver is driving at highway speeds and passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can be dangerous, particularly when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or cannot react quickly. While driving, eating, changing the radio station or reaching for something in the back of the car can be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions are a less visible but equally deadly category of distractions. They could include calling or a song, or thinking about a stressful situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness and make it hard for drivers to stay focused on the road.
Set boundaries and practice attentive driving to be aware of distractions while driving. You can do this by establishing rules and leading by example.
It is important to remember that distracted driving poses danger for everyone, not just teens and new drivers. Older people, drowsy 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 eyes on the road, and how to avoid this happening. You can also advise them to put their mobile phone on "do not distract" mode and turn off the phone when they are behind the wheel.
Keep Your Distance
One of the most important actions you can take to ensure the safety of your vehicle when driving is to keep an appropriate distance between you and any vehicle that is ahead of you. This will help avoid collisions, and also protect yourself and others near you from injury and death.
There are a variety of ways to make sure you're following the correct distance. You can utilize the 3-second calculation to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes approximately three seconds to react when a car stops suddenly. If you are too close to the vehicle in front of you, it could be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially true for truck drivers who need plenty of space to safely stop when approaching the traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis or large trucks occur due to drivers failing to observe this road rule and could result in serious injuries or even fatalities for all involved.
In addition to using the three-second rule, you can also measure your following distance mentally by locating an object fixed and calculating how long it takes you to reach the same spot after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree or other roadside marker and watching the car in front of you pass it.
Once you've established how long it takes for your vehicle to get there after the other car passes it, you can begin counting again. 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 in front.
If you're unable reach three seconds in one row slowly increase your distance to follow until you can. It could require a slowing down to avoid a collision however, the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing the distance you follow and using the 3-second rule, you can avoid these accidents and other collisions that could cause serious damage to your vehicle and the people around you.
Avoiding top auto accident lawyers -End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account for nearly a third all accidents and cause around 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.
While front-end collisions can be more hazardous, rear-end collisions still cause significant injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions are also prone to a range of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe discomfort in the neck, back and shoulder areas. They typically require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to heal from.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means following behind them at an appropriate speed, and not following them.
Being too fast can increase the chance of a rear-end collision since you won't have the time to notice and react to hazards, like slower or stopped traffic the area in front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that motorists maintain a three-second minimum following distance and larger vehicles more.
When road or weather conditions are poor rear-end collisions can be more risky. If you're driving through heavy snow or rain, for instance, you should increase the distance you follow.
Make sure to check your rear-view mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on how full the traffic is in front of you. This will help you determine whether the driver behind you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving parking spaces. This will help the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and aid in stopping them from swerving out of their lane in order to cause a collision with you.
Always keep children in the back of the vehicle when traveling with them. This will help prevent children from running around the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while you are driving.
It is recommended to not use your phone while driving and to not use 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 of your car may be one of the most important elements for you as a driver, however it can also be one of the most frustrating parts. In the case of an accident, you might find that your car's engine won't start when you turn the key.
The issue is difficult to identify or fix therefore, you should take your vehicle to the mechanic as soon when the light appears. The lights will alert you in the event of a problem with the battery, alternator and temperature or other parts of your car that need attention.
If you are having difficulty starting your car after an accident that isn't too serious, it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts off fuel pump's power. This switch is designed to stop your car from catching fire in the event of a collision but can also damage the engine if it is tripped.
Another reason you might not be in a position to start your engine after an auto accident is that the crash could have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop working properly. In this case, you'll need to seek assistance from a mechanic to determine what caused the issue and correct it before you are able to start your vehicle once more.
Even if your vehicle has an engine that's in good shape is still necessary to check it out once intervals to ensure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by turning off the engine and letting it warm for about 30 seconds or as long.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to inspect all of your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners and other components to ensure they are in good operating condition. This will boost your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
This is a great way to ensure your tires are inflated properly. If your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they can be more stable on the road and reduce the chances of blowouts or other damage.