What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident could be a devastating incident. It can cause loss of income, benefits, and substantial out-of pocket costs. If you're a victim in an auto accident or who is watching one, there are several ways to ensure your safety and aid others. Avoid distractions Distracted driving can have a significant impact on both your safety and that of other drivers. Some of the most common distractions include eating, texting, and grooming. Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to others near them. Drivers who are distracted may ignore road signs and dangers or fail to notice unexpected issues. Distractions could be anything that distracts a driver's attention from driving, causing them to lose control. They can be visual or cognitive, and each has distinct characteristics. Visual distractions are the things that take a driver's eyes off the road, like using a GPS or looking at the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. This could be extremely dangerous particularly when the driver is driving at a high speed or when they are walking or passing pedestrians. Manual distractions are also dangerous, particularly when drivers do not pay attention to the road or fail to react quickly. Consuming food while driving changing the radio station, or reaching for something in the backseat can all be very distracting. Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by talking on the phone and singing, as well as thinking about a difficult situation. They could also be signs of drowsiness, which can make it difficult for drivers to focus on the road. Set boundaries and practice an attentive driving to be aware of distractions while driving. best auto accident lawyer near me can be done by modeling behavior and establishing rules to limit screen time. It's important to keep in mind that distracted driving poses an issue for everyone not just teenagers and new drivers. Even pets, older people and drivers who are tired are all distractions while driving. You can also encourage them to set their cell phone on do not disturb mode and switch it off when they are behind the wheel. You can also encourage your friend to switch off their phone and put it on do-not-disturb mode while they drive. Staying Away Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in the direction of you is one of the best actions you can take to ensure your car's safety. This can help prevent a collision and protect your passengers and yourself from harm or death. There are numerous ways you can ensure that you're following the correct distance. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule, which is 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 require approximately three seconds to react if another vehicle brakes suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in front of you it won't give you enough time to stop in a safe manner before a collision occurs. This is particularly the case for truck drivers, who need plenty of space to stop safely at an intersection. Many accidents involving semis as well as large trucks occur due to drivers failing to follow this rule of the road, which can lead to serious injuries or even death for all involved. You can also measure the distance you have to follow a vehicle by measuring the time it takes you to get to a specific point after the vehicle in the front has passed it. This can be done by watching the car in advance pass an overhead sign, tree or other roadside marker. Once you've determined the time it takes for your car to reach the spot after the other driver has passed it, begin counting again. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 31,000 until you have a gap of three seconds between you and the car in front. If you're not able to get three seconds in a row and you're not able to do that, gradually increase your following distance until you can. This may mean slowed down to avoid a crash but it's definitely worth the extra effort. The most frequent rear-end collisions happen when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front. By increasing the distance you follow and following the 3-second rule, you can avoid these collisions and other collisions which 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. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that they constitute about a third of all crashes and cause approximately 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are more fatal, rear end collisions still cause significant injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also cause soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash. These injuries can cause significant pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas. They typically require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to recover from. Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means that you must be following them at a reasonable speed and not tailgate them. There is a higher chance of rear-end collisions if you're driving too close. This is because you don't have enough time to react to hazards such as slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that passenger cars maintain a three-second minimum distance to follow and larger vehicles more. When weather or road conditions are bad rear-end collisions are more dangerous. If you are driving in heavy rain or snow, for example you should increase your following distance and exercise extra care. Check your rear-view-mirror frequently to avoid a rear end collision. This will depend on how crowded the road is in front of you. This will let you know whether the car 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 in front of you see your vehicle and prevent them from turning into their vehicle to avoid hitting you. Always ensure that children are in the back of the car when you are traveling with them. This will stop them from bouncing about the vehicle, or getting lost and distracting while you are driving. It is also a great idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Talking or texting on your phone could be a major cause of rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your vehicle could be among the most important elements for you as a driver, but it could be also one of the most frustrating parts. If you are involved in an accident, the engine of your car might not begin after you turn the key or press START. This is not a problem that is easy to identify and solve, so it's best to bring your car in for a checkup as soon as the check engine light turns on. The lights will alert you that there's an issue with the alternator, battery, temperature or other areas of your car that need attention. If you're having trouble starting your car after an accident that was minor it could be because of a tripped inertial switch that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to stop your car from burning in the incident of a collision but it can also damage your engine if it's tripped. It's possible that you are unable to start your car following an accident because your vehicle's engine transmission has stopped functioning properly. In this scenario, you'll need to seek the assistance of a mechanic to figure out what caused the issue and then fix it before you can start your car once more. Even if your car is equipped with an engine that's in good shape but it's still essential to run it once in a while to make sure it's properly lubricated and running. This can be done by switching the engine on with a gentle touch and letting it warm for 30 seconds. When you do this, you're taking an chance to check all of your vehicle's belts, hoses, air cleaners and other components to ensure they're in good operating condition. This will improve your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly. It's also a great method to ensure that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Properly inflated tires will enable them to better grip the road and reduce the chance of a tire blowout or other damage.
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