What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident could be a devastation. It can involve loss of income and benefits, large out-of-pocket costs, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment.
If you're a victim of an auto accident or a bystander who is watching one, there are several ways to protect yourself and help others.
Beware of Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it can cause a huge impact on your safety and that of others. Texting, eating, and grooming are some of the most frequent distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it may result in grave injuries and death for the people around them. Drivers who are distracted might ignore road signs and hazards or overlook unexpected problems.
Distractions refer to anything that diverts the driver's attention from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be visual as well as cognitive, manual or both and each is unique in its own way.
Visual distractions can distract drivers' attention from the road, for example, using a GPS, looking at the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. This could be extremely dangerous particularly if the driver is travelling at highway speeds or they are walking or passing pedestrians.
Manual distractions can be harmful, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road ahead and fail to react quickly enough. Consuming food while driving switching the radio station, or reaching for something in the backseat could be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions are a less obvious but equally deadly type of distractions. These distractions can include talking on a phone or singing, or thinking about an emotionally charged scenario. They could also be a sign of drowsiness, which could make it difficult for a driver to remain focused on the road.
The best way to avoid distracting behaviors while driving is to establish boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be accomplished by living by example and setting rules that restrict screen time.
It is important to keep in mind that distracted driving poses danger lawyer for car accidents near me everyone not just teenagers and new drivers. Older drivers, sleepy drivers and even pets can be potential distractions when driving.
If you have a friend or relative who is susceptible to distraction while driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eyes on the road, and how to prevent this from happening. You can also advise them to put their mobile phone in "do not distract" mode and then turn off the device when they're driving.
Keep Your Distance
One of the most important ways to ensure your car is safe when driving is to keep an appropriate distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This will help avoid a collision and protect your passengers and yourself from injury or even death.
There are many ways to make sure that you're taking the correct distance while driving. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule. It's a an easy calculation that will aid in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes about three seconds to react when a vehicle stops abruptly. If you are too close to the car in front of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly true for truck drivers, who need plenty of space to safely brake when they are approaching a stop. This road safety rule is often ignored by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and even deaths.
You can also calculate the distance you have to follow a vehicle by measuring the time it takes to reach a certain point after the vehicle at the front has passed it. You can do this by finding an overhead road sign, tree, or any other roadside marker, and observing the car in front of you drive by it.
Once you've figured out how long it takes your car to arrive at the spot when the other vehicle passes it, continue counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3,001 until you get to a three-second gap between you and the car in front.
If you're not able to reach three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This may mean slowed down to avoid a crash, but it's worth the effort.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front. You can avoid these collisions and others by extending your following distance.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account to nearly a third all accidents and result in 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Although front-end collisions may be more deadly, rear end collisions can cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also lead to a variety of soft tissue injuries, including whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe discomfort in the neck, back and shoulder areas. These injuries are often accompanied by physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages in order to recover.
Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means you should follow the vehicles at a safe speed and not tailgate them.
If you drive too close, it can increase your risk of a rear-end crash because you will not have enough time to react to dangers, such as slower or stopped traffic the area in front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passenger cars maintain a three-second minimum distance to follow, and larger vehicles even more.
Rear-end collisions can be especially risky when the road or weather conditions are adverse. If you're driving through heavy snow or rain, for example, increase the distance you follow.
You should regularly check your rear-view mirror to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on how crowded the traffic is in front of you. This will help you determine if a driver behind you has reduced speed or applied the brakes.
Another good practice is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving a parking lot. This lets the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and aid in stopping them from swerving out of their lane in order to cause a collision with you.
If you're traveling in a car with children, always ensure that they are in the back seat of the vehicle. This will keep them from bouncing around the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while you are driving.
It's also a good idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Talking on the phone, or texting can cause rear-end collisions.
Keeping Your Engine Running
The engine of your car accident injury attorney near me may be one of the most important elements for you as a driver, however it can also be among the most frustrating parts. If you get into an auto accident, the engine of your car might not begin after you turn the key or press START.
This isn't a problem that's simple to spot and resolve, so it's advisable to take your vehicle in for a checkup when the check engine light turns on. The lights will notify you that there's an issue with the alternator, battery and temperature, as well as other parts of your car that require attention.
If you are having difficulty starting your car after an accident of a minor nature, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that shuts off the power to the fuel pump. This switch is intended to prevent your car from burning in the event of a collision but can also damage your engine if tripped.
You might not be able to start your car after an accident as your Car crash Attorneys's engine transmission has stopped functioning properly. In this case you'll need assistance from an expert mechanic to determine what caused the issue and then fix it before you are able to start your car again.
Even if your car accident lawyer near me has a healthy engine but it's still essential to run it once in a while to make sure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by turning the engine on slowly and allow it to warm for 30 seconds.
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 increase your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is operating smoothly.
This is also a great technique to ensure your tires are properly inflated. When your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and reduce the chances of a tire blowout or any other damage.