What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating effects. It could result in loss of income and benefits, substantial out-of-pocket expense, and even severe injuries which require extensive treatment.
If you're the victim of an auto accident or a bystander who's watching one, there are a variety of ways to ensure your safety and aid others.
Avoid distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it could cause a huge impact on your safety as well as the safety of others. eating, texting, and grooming are just a few of the most frequent distractions.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to those who are around them. Drivers who are distracted might disregard road signs and hazards or overlook unexpected problems.
Distractions are anything that diverts the driver's attention from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be visual, manual or cognitive and each type has its own unique characteristics.
best auto accident attorney can be anything that divert a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or even rubbernecking a car accident. This can be very dangerous particularly if the driver is driving at a high speed or when they are walking or passing pedestrians.
Manual distractions are also risky, particularly when drivers aren't paying attention to the road or cannot react quickly. Food while driving can be very distracting or even changing the radio station or reaching to something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions can be as harmful as other distractions. These can be distractions like calling or singing, or pondering an emotionally charged situation. These are also signs of drowsiness which can make it difficult to keep a driver's attention on the road.
Set boundaries and practice an attentive driving to avoid distractions while driving. This can be accomplished by living by example and setting rules to limit the amount of time you spend on your screen.
It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk of being distracted by a driver, and it's not just teens or drivers who are new. Even pets, older people and drivers who are tired are all distractions while driving.
You can also advise them to put their phone on "do not disturb" mode and switch it off when they are driving. You can also help your friend to shut off their phone and set it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they drive.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in the direction of you is one of the most important ways to ensure your car's safety. This will prevent a collision and protect yourself and others around you from injury or death.
There are several ways to ensure that you're driving at the correct distance. You can utilize the 3-second calculation to determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that it takes around three seconds to react when a vehicle stops suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the front of you and you're not close enough, you won't have enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens.
This is particularly true for truck drivers who need plenty of space to stop safely at an intersection. Many accidents involving semis or large trucks occur due to drivers failing to follow this road rule and could result in serious injuries or even death for all involved.
In addition to using the three-second rule, you can also measure your following distance by finding a fixed object and counting how long it takes for you to get to the same point after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. You can do this by looking for an overhead road sign, tree, or other roadside marker and watching the vehicle in front of you pass it.
Once you've determined how long it takes your car to arrive at the spot when the other vehicle passes it, you can begin counting again. Count 1-1,000; 2-1,000; and then 3,001 until you've reached three seconds of gap between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
If you're not able to reach three seconds, you can increase your following distance gradually until you get there. This could require a slowing down to avoid a collision but the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and utilizing the 3-second rule, you can avoid these collisions and other collisions that could cause serious damage to your car and the people around you.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account to more than a third of all accidents and cause around 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are much more risky, rear-end collisions are still a significant cause for injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions could also cause soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause drivers to experience significant discomfort and pain in their neck, shoulder, and back areas. These injuries often require physical therapy, medical costs and lost wages to recover.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means that you should be following them at a safe speed and not tailgate them.
Driving too closely can increase the likelihood of a rear-end collision since you won't have the time to see and respond to hazards, like slow or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum following distance and larger vehicles more.
Rear-end collisions can be particularly dangerous when road or weather conditions are threatening. If you're driving through heavy rain or snow for instance, increase your following distance.
Check your rear-view-mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This depends on how busy the traffic is in front of you. This will help you determine if a driver behind you has slowed down or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or pull from a parking lot. This will allow the driver behind you to see your vehicle and prevent them from turning into their path to hit you.
Keep children in the back of the vehicle when you are traveling with them. This will stop children from bouncing around in the vehicle or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking or texting on your phone can be a major contributing factor in rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car is among the most vital components for you as a driver However, it can be frustrating. In the event of an accident, you may notice that the engine of your car won't start when you turn the key.
The problem is not easy to diagnose or fix Therefore, you should bring your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as the light is on. The lights will indicate the car if it has an issue in the area of battery temperature, temperature alternator or in any other area.
If you are having difficulties starting your vehicle following an accident of a minor nature, it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts off power to the fuel pump. This switch is intended to prevent your vehicle from catching fire in the event of a collision, but it can also damage your engine if tripped.
Another reason you might not be in a position to start your engine following an accident is that the crash could have caused your car's transmission to cease functioning properly. In this situation you'll have to seek the assistance of a mechanic to determine the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you are able to start your car again.
Even if you have a healthy car, it is important to rev the engine every once or twice to ensure it's properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by turning off the engine and letting it warm for about 30 seconds or more.
When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they're in good operating condition. This will boost your gas mileage and keep your vehicle operating smoothly.
It's also a great way to ensure that 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.