What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car crash can be a devastating incident. It could result in loss of income and benefits, significant out-of-pocket expenses, and serious injuries that require a long-term treatment.
Whether you're the victim of an auto accident or who is witnessing one, there are a variety of ways to protect yourself and help others.
Avoiding Distractions
If you're distracted while driving, it can affect your safety and that of others. Eating, texting, or grooming are just a few of the most frequent distractions.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to the people in their vicinity. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to ignore hazards and unexpected issues right in front of them, or to overlook important road warning signs.
Distractions refer to anything that diverts the attention of a driver away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be physical as well as cognitive, manual or both and each is unique in its own way.
Visual distractions include things that distract a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. It can be dangerous particularly when a driver is traveling at highway speeds and passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can also be harmful, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road ahead and fail to react quickly enough. Food while driving is a huge distraction, as can changing the radio station or reaching for something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions can be just as dangerous as other distractions. They could be a result of using the phone or singing, or even thinking about a personal issue. They could also be indicators of drowsiness and make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road.
Set boundaries and practice an attentive driving to be aware of distractions while driving. This can be accomplished by living by example and setting rules to restrict the time spent on screens.
It's important to remember that driving distracted poses an issue for everyone not just teenagers and new drivers. Older people, drivers who are drowsy and even pets could all be potential distractions when driving.
If you have a friend or relative who is susceptible to distracted driving, make sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their eye on the road, and how to avoid this happening. You can also suggest to your friend to turn off their phone and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they drive.
Staying Away
One of the most important things you can do to keep your car safe while driving is to maintain a safe distance between you and any vehicle ahead of you. This can help avoid a collision and protect yourself and others who are around you from injury or death.
There are many ways to make sure you're following the proper distance when driving. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule, which is a an easy calculation that will aid you in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that you need about three seconds to react when a vehicle suddenly brakes. If you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly applicable to truck drivers who require plenty of room to stop safely when they approach a traffic 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 death for all involved.
You can also measure the distance you must follow a car by calculating the time it takes to reach a certain point after the vehicle at the front has passed by it. This can be accomplished by watching the car advance pass an overhead sign, a tree or other roadside marker.
Once you've determined how long it takes your car to arrive at the spot when the other vehicle passes it, start counting again. Count 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 31,000 until you reach a three-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead.
If you're not able to get three seconds in an uninterrupted row and you're not able to do that, gradually increase your following distance until you reach. It may mean slowing down in order to avoid a collision however, the effort worth it.
The most frequent rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and using the 3-second rule, you can avoid these crashes and other collisions that can cause severe damage to your vehicle and those in the vicinity.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions comprise among the most frequent types of auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that they represent nearly a third of all crashes that result in approximately 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more deadly, rear-end collisions are still a major cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also lead to a variety of soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash.
These injuries can cause drivers to experience significant discomfort and pain in the back, shoulder and neck areas. They may require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to recover from.
The best way to avoid rear-end collisions is to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. This means following them at the appropriate speed and never tailgating them.
Being too fast can increase the chance of a rear-end collision since you may not have enough time to react to hazards, like slower or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds for following distances in passenger cars, and even more for larger vehicles.
Rear-end collisions are particularly dangerous when weather or road conditions are threatening. If you're driving in heavy rain or snow for instance, you should increase your distance to follow.
Be sure to check your rear view mirror regularly to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on the volume of the traffic is in front of you. This will let you know whether the driver behind you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or to pull out of a parking lot. This helps the driver behind you to see your car and prevent them from swerving off the lane and cause a collision with you.
If you're in a car with children, always ensure that they are in the back of the vehicle. This will stop them from bouncing around the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
It is recommended to avoid using your phone when driving and not use it to distract yourself. Talking on best auto accident attorney near me , or texting could lead to rear-end collisions.
Making sure your engine is running
The engine in your car is one of the most crucial parts for you as a motorist However, it can be a hassle. In the event of an accident, you may find that your car's engine will not start when you turn the key.
The problem is not easy to diagnose or fix Therefore, you should bring your car in as quickly when the light turns on. The lights will illuminate you if your vehicle is experiencing a problem in the areas of battery temperature, temperature, alternator, or any other aspect.
If you're having trouble starting your car following a minor accident, it could be the result of a malfunctioning inertial sensor that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to stop your car from catching fire in the incident of a collision but can also damage the engine if it is tripped.
Another reason you might not be not able to start your car after an accident is that the crash could have caused your car's transmission to cease functioning properly. In this scenario, you will have to talk to a mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and fix it.
Even if your car is equipped with an engine that's in good shape however, it's important to check it every once in intervals to ensure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by switching the engine on with a gentle touch and let it warm for 30 seconds.
You can take this opportunity to check all the belts, hoses and air cleaners in your vehicle to ensure they are working properly. This will improve your fuel efficiency and also ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly.
It's also a great way to ensure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Properly filled tires will enable them to grip the road more effectively and reduce the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.