What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can have devastating effects. auto accident attorney can cause loss of income and benefits, large cost out of pocket, and severe injuries that require a lengthy treatment. If you're a victim in an auto accident or who is witnessing one, there are a variety of ways you can ensure your safety and aid others. Avoid distractions Distracted driving can have a major impact on your safety and that of others. Texting, eating, and grooming are among the most common distractions. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could result in serious injuries and deaths for those around them. This is due to distracted driving that can cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected problems right in front of them, or miss important road warning signs. Distractions are any activity that diverts drivers' attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be either visual or manual and each type is unique in its own way. Visual distractions are things that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or rubbernecking an accident. This can be dangerous particularly when a driver is traveling at highway speeds and is passing other vehicles or pedestrians. Manual distractions can be harmful, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and do not react quickly enough. While driving, eating can be a major distraction as can switching the radio station, or reaching for something behind the car. Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by conversations on the phone or a song, or thinking about a difficult situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness which can make it difficult for a driver to remain focused on the road. Set up good boundaries and practice attentive drive to be aware of distractions while driving. This can be done by living by example and setting rules to limit screen time. It's important to remember that everyone is at risk of being a distracted driver, and it's certainly not just teens or drivers who are new. Older people, drowsy drivers and even pets could all be distractions for drivers. If you know someone who is prone to distraction while driving, be sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road, and how to prevent this from happening. You can also encourage your friend to switch off their phone and put it on do-not-disturb mode when they are driving. Keeping Your Distance Maintaining an appropriate distance from the vehicle in the direction of you is one of the best things you can do for your car's safety. This can help prevent a collision and ensure that you are protected and the people near you from injury and death. There are many methods to ensure that you're keeping the proper distance when driving. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule. It's an easy calculation that will aid in determining if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on the fact that it takes about three seconds to react if another vehicle brakes suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the front of you it won't give you enough time to stop without causing a crash. This is especially true for truck drivers, who require ample space to safely brake as they approach the stop. Many accidents involving semis and large rigs are caused by drivers who fail to follow this road rule which can cause serious injuries or even fatalities for all involved. You can also determine the distance you must follow a vehicle by counting the time it takes to reach a fixed point after the vehicle in the front has passed it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree, or other roadside marker and watching the vehicle in front of you pass it. Count again. Once you have determined the time it will take you to reach the spot after a car has passed, begin counting. Count 1-1,000; 2-1,000; and then 3-1,000 until you have reached three seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you're unable to complete three seconds in an uninterrupted row, gradually increase your distance to follow until you can. This could mean slowing down to avoid the risk of crashing but it's worth the extra effort. The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front. You can avoid collisions by extending your following distance. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions are amongst most common types of automobile accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for nearly one third of all crashes that result in approximately 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are more hazardous, rear-end collisions still cause significant injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also lead to a variety of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash. These accidents can cause drivers to suffer severe pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder and back areas. These injuries often require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages to heal. Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means you must follow them at a safe speed and not tailgate them. There is a higher risk of rear-end collisions when driving too close. This is because you won't be able to have enough time to react to dangers such as slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds of following distance for passenger cars, and even greater for larger vehicles. When road or weather conditions are hazardous, rear-end collisions are more risky. If you're driving through heavy snow or rain for example, increase the distance you follow. 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 allow you to determine whether the driver in front of you is slowing down or applying the brakes. Use your turn signals to switch lanes or to pull out of a parking lot. This will help the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and aid in stopping them from swerving out of their lane to strike you. Always keep children in the back of the car when you travel with them. This will stop children from moving around in the vehicle, or getting lost and distracting while you are driving. It's also a good idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Disturbing conversations on the phone or texting may result in rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your car could be one of the most important components to you as a driver, however it could also be one of the most frustrating components. If you are involved in an auto accident, the engine of your car might not start after you turn the key or press START. The issue is difficult to diagnose or fix So you must bring your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as the light comes on. The lights will illuminate when your car is experiencing issues in the areas of temperature, battery, alternator or in any other area. If you're experiencing difficulty getting your car started after an accident that was minor, it could be the result of a malfunctioning inertial switch that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is intended to keep your car from catching fire in the event of a collision but it can also damage the engine if it is tripped. Another reason why you may not be not able to start your car after an auto 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 an expert mechanic to pinpoint the cause of the issue and fix it before you are able to start your car again. Even if your vehicle has a healthy engine, it's still important to run it every once in a while to make sure that it's lubricated properly and is working. This can be done by turning the engine on gently and letting it warm for 30 minutes. When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to inspect all of your vehicle's belts, hoses, air cleaners, and other components to ensure that they are in good working order. This will improve your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is operating smoothly. This is also a great way to ensure that your tires are properly inflated. If your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they can grip the road better and decrease the risk of blowouts or other damage.
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