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, large cost out of pocket, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment.
If you're the victim of an auto accident or a bystander who is witnessing one, there are numerous actions you can take to ensure your safety and aid others.
Beware of Distractions
If you're distracted when driving, it can have a dramatic impact on your safety as well as that of others. Food, texting, and grooming are just a few of the most common distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it can cause serious injuries and death for the people in their vicinity. Drivers who are distracted might disregard road signs and hazards or miss out on unexpected dangers.
Distractions may be anything that diverts the driver's attention from driving, causing them to lose control. They can be visual or manual and each type has its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions are the things that take a driver's eyes off the road, for example, using a GPS, looking at a billboard, or rubbernecking during an accident. It can be dangerous particularly if the driver is driving at highway speeds and is passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions are also dangerous, particularly if drivers aren't paying attention to the road or fail to react quickly. While driving, eating switching the radio station, and reaching for something in the backseat could be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions are a less obvious but just as deadly category of distractions. They could include calling or singing, or even thinking about a stressful situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness and make it difficult for a driver stay focused on the road.
Set up good boundaries and practice attentive driving to be aware of distractions while driving. This can be accomplished by modeling behavior and establishing rules that restrict the amount of time you spend on your screen.
It's important to remember that everyone is at risk for being distracted by a driver, and it's not just teens or new drivers. Even pets, elderly people and motorists who are drowsy are all distractions while driving.
If you have a loved one who is prone to distraction while driving, be sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their eye on the road and how to prevent this from happening. It is also a good idea to encourage them to put their mobile phone in "do not disturb" mode and then turn it off when they are behind the wheel.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in the front of you is one of the best car wreck lawyers things you can do for your vehicle's safety. This can prevent a collision, and safeguard you and those near you from injury and death.
There are several ways to make sure you're following the proper distance when driving. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule. It's a an easy calculation that will aid you in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that it takes approximately three seconds to react in the event that another vehicle suddenly stops. If you are too close to the car accident lawyer best ahead of you, it could be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly true for truck drivers, who need ample space to safely brake when they are approaching an end. Many accidents involving semis and big trucks occur due to drivers failing to follow this rule of the road and can result in grave injuries or even deaths for everyone involved.
In addition to the three-second rule, you can also determine your distance to follow by finding a fixed object and counting how long it takes for you to get to the same place after the car accident injury attorneys near me in front of you crosses it. You can do this by finding an overhead road sign, tree or other roadside marker and observing the car wreck lawyers near me ahead of you go by it.
Count again. Once you've decided how long it will take your vehicle to reach the spot after another car has passed, start counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3-1,000 until you have reached three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
If you're not able to reach three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you get there. This could require you to slow down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. You can avoid collisions and others by extending your distance of following.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions account for more than a third of all accidents and result in 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more dangerous, rear-end collisions can result in serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
These injuries can cause significant discomfort in the neck, back and shoulder regions. They usually require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to recover from.
Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means pursuing them at the appropriate speed and never speeding up to them.
Driving too closely can increase your risk of a rear-end collision as you may not have enough time to react to dangers, like slower or stopped traffic ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends that motorists maintain a three-second minimum following distance and larger vehicles more.
Rear-end collisions can be extremely dangerous when weather or road conditions are adverse. If you're driving in heavy rain or snow for example, increase your distance to follow.
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 driver in front of you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or pulling out of a parking lot. This will allow the driver behind you see your car and stop them from turning into their lane in order to hit you.
Always ensure that your children are in the back of the car when you travel with them. This will help prevent them from bouncing around the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving.
It is recommended to keep your phone off the road when driving and refrain from using it as a distraction. Talking on the phone or texting can cause rear-end collisions.
Maintaining Your Engine
The engine in your car is among the most important parts for you as a motorist However, it can be a hassle. In the case of an accident, you may notice that your lawyer car accidents's engine will not start when you turn the key.
This is not a problem that is easy to identify and fix, so it's best to bring your car for a routine check-up immediately after the check engine light turns on. The lights will indicate the car if it has a problem in the areas of battery temperature, temperature alternator or in any other area.
If you are having difficulty starting your vehicle following an accident that isn't too serious, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts the fuel pump's power. This is designed to shield your car from catching fire in the event of an accident however, it could also cause damage to your engine should it be tripped.
Another reason you might not be able to start your engine after an auto accident is that the collision may have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop functioning properly. In this situation, you will require a professional to determine what caused the problem and fix it.
Even if you have an engine that is in good condition, it is important to check the engine every often to make sure that it's properly lubricated. This can be done by turning the engine on gently and let it warm for 30 seconds.
You can take this opportunity to examine all hoses, belts and air cleaners in your vehicle to make sure they are working properly. This will improve your gas mileage and keep your vehicle operating smoothly.
This is a great way to ensure your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires will enable them to take on the road more effectively and reduce the risk of a blowout or any other damage.