What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident could be a traumatic event. It can cause loss of income, benefits, and significant out-of-pocket expenses. If you're the victim of an auto accident or who's watching one, there are numerous actions you can take to ensure your safety and assist others. Avoiding Distractions Distracted driving has a huge impact on your safety as well as that of other drivers. Texting, eating, and grooming are some of the most common distractions. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it can cause serious injuries and death for those in their vicinity. Drivers who are distracted could ignore road signs and hazards or miss out on unexpected dangers. Distractions could be anything that distracts a driver's attention from the road which causes them to lose control. They can be either visual or cognitive, and each has its own unique characteristics. Visual distractions can distract drivers' attention from the road, such as using a GPS or looking at a billboard, or rubbernecking during an accident. This can be dangerous, especially when a driver is driving at highway speeds and passing pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions can also be harmful, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and cannot react quickly enough. While driving, eating can be a major distraction or even changing the radio station, or reaching for something behind the car. Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. These distractions include conversations on a cell phone or singing or thinking about an emotionally charged situation. They could also be indicators of drowsiness, which can make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road. The best way to stay clear of distracting behaviors while driving is to establish boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can accomplish this by establishing rules and living by example. It's important to keep in mind that distracted driving poses a risk for all drivers not just teenagers and new drivers. Even pets, older individuals and motorists who are sleepy can be distractions when driving. If you know someone who is prone to distraction while driving, make sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their eye to the road and how to avoid this happening. It is also a good idea to encourage them to put their cell phone on do not distract mode and then turn off the device when they're driving. Staying Away Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in the direction of you is one of the best ways to ensure your car's safety. This can help prevent a collision and shield you and those around you from harm or death. There are numerous ways to make sure you're traveling at the right distance. You can apply the 3-second formula to determine if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you'll need about three seconds to react in the event that another vehicle suddenly stops. If you are too close to the car in front of you, it will be difficult to stop safely. This is particularly relevant for truck drivers who require plenty of room to stop safely before approaching the traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis and large trucks occur due to drivers failing to follow this road rule and can result in serious injuries or even death for all involved. In addition to using the three-second rule, you can also determine your following distance mentally by finding an object that is fixed and then calculating the time it takes you to arrive at the same place after the car in front of you passes it. This can be accomplished by watching the car in the direction of an overhead sign, tree or any other roadside marker. Once you've determined the time it takes your car to get there after the other driver passes it, begin counting again. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3,001 until you have a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. If you're not able to get three seconds in one row and you're not able to do that, gradually increase your following distance until you do. This could mean slowed down to avoid a collision but the extra effort is worth it. The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front of them. By increasing the distance you follow and following the 3-second rule, you can avoid these crashes and other collisions that can cause severe damage to your vehicle and those near you. Avoiding Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions are among the most common auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for about three-quarters of all crashes and result in about 2,000 deaths every year in the United States. Although front-end collisions can be more hazardous, rear-end collisions can still cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions could also cause soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash. These injuries can cause significant discomfort in the neck, back and shoulder areas. These injuries are often accompanied by physical therapy, medical costs and lost wages to recover. Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means you should follow behind them at a reasonable speed and not tailgate them. Being too fast can increase your risk of a rear-end collision because you will not have enough time to be able to recognize and react to hazards, like slow or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that drivers maintain a three-second minimum distance of following distance and larger vehicles more. Rear-end collisions are particularly risky when weather or road conditions are challenging. When driving in severe snow or rain, for example, you should increase your following distance and exercise extra care. To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rear-view mirror frequently depending on how busy the traffic is in front of you. This will allow you to determine if a car in front of you has stopped or applied the brakes. Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of parking lots. This will help the driver behind you to be aware of your vehicle and prevent them from swerving in their direction to hit you. Keep children in the back of the vehicle when traveling with them. This will prevent children from bouncing around in the car or becoming confused and distracted while driving. It's also a good idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking or texting on your phone can be a significant cause of rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your car is among the most crucial components for you as a motorist however it can also be frustrating. If you get into an accident, your vehicle's engine might not begin after you turn the key or press START. This isn't a issue that is easy to identify and repair, so it's recommended to take your vehicle in for a checkup as soon as the check engine light comes on. The lights will alert if your car has problems in the areas of battery temperature, temperature, alternator, or any other aspect. If you have trouble starting your vehicle after a minor accident, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts fuel pump's power. This is intended to safeguard your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of an impact but it can also cause damage to your engine should it be shut off. You may not be able start your car after an accident due to the fact that your vehicle's engine transmission isn't working properly. In this scenario you'll need assistance from a mechanic to figure out the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you can start your vehicle once more. Even if auto accident lawyers near me own a healthy car it is vital to run the engine once or twice to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be done by turning the engine off gently and let it warm for 30 seconds. When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's belts, hoses, air cleaners and other components to ensure that they are in good functioning order. This will increase the efficiency of your vehicle and ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly. It's also a great method to make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Properly filled tires will allow them to take on the road more effectively and decrease the chance of a tire blowout or other damage.
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