What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating consequences. It could result in loss of income, benefits, and significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Whether you're the victim of an auto accident or a bystander who is watching one, there are many actions you can take to ensure your safety and aid others.
Beware of Distractions
Distracted driving has a huge impact on your safety and the safety of others. Food, texting, and grooming are some of the most common distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could cause serious injuries and deaths for the people in their vicinity. This is because distracted driving can cause drivers to overlook dangers and unexpected complications that are right in front of them, or miss important road signs.
Distractions are any activity that diverts the driver's attention from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be either visual or cognitive, and each comes with its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions include things that distract drivers from the road. Examples include using a GPS or watching a signboard or even rubbernecking a car accident. It can be dangerous particularly when a driver is traveling at highway speeds and passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can also be risky, particularly when drivers aren't paying attention to the road, or do not react quickly. Eating while driving can be a major distraction, as can changing the radio station or looking for something in the back of the car.
Cognitive distractions are a less visible but equally deadly type of distractions. These distractions can include conversations on a cell phone or singing or pondering an emotionally charged event. They can also be signs of drowsiness. This can make it difficult for a driver to focus on the road.
Set good boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. You can accomplish this by establishing rules and following by example.
It is important to remember that distracted driving is an issue for everyone, not just teens and drivers who are new. Even pets, older drivers and motorists who are drowsy are all distractions while driving.
You can also encourage them to put their mobile phone on "do not disturb" mode and turn it off when they are driving. You can also suggest to your friend to shut off their phone and set it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they drive.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in the direction of you is one of the best car accident lawyers near me ways to ensure your car's safety. This can prevent an accident and protect the people around you from injury or death.
There are many ways you can ensure that you're traveling at the right distance. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule, which is a an easy calculation that can assist you in determining whether you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that it takes about three seconds to react when a attorney car accident near me brakes abruptly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the distance, you won't have enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens.
This is especially the case Attorney For Car Accident Injury truck drivers, who require plenty of space to stop safely before approaching the traffic stop. This road safety rule is often neglected by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and even deaths.
In addition to using the three-second rule, you can also measure your following distance mentally by locating an object fixed and calculating how long it takes you to reach the same location after the vehicle ahead of you passes it. This can be done by watching the car in advance pass an overhead sign, a tree or other roadside markers.
Once you've established how long it takes your car to reach the spot after the other driver passes it, you can begin counting again. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3,001 until you attain a gap of three seconds between you and the car in front.
If you're unable reach three seconds in a row, gradually increase the distance you follow until you get there. It may require you to slow down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. You can avoid collisions as well as others by increasing the distance you follow.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst most frequent types of auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that they represent nearly three-quarters of all crashes, and they result in approximately 2,000 deaths per 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 can also result in soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
These injuries could cause drivers to be afflicted with severe discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. 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 following them at an appropriate speed and not speeding up to them.
There is a higher chance of rear-end collisions if you're driving too close. This is because you won't be able to have enough time to respond to dangers such as slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds of following distance for passengers in cars, and more for larger vehicles.
Rear-end collisions can be extremely risky when weather or road conditions are adverse. When driving in severe rain or snow for instance you should increase the distance you follow and take extra precautions.
To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rearview mirror frequently depending on how congested the traffic is ahead of you. This will let you know whether the driver in front of you is slowing down or applying the brakes.
Another good habit to adopt is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or taking a car out of parking lots. This lets the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and assist them in avoiding a swerve out of their lane to strike you.
If you're in a vehicle with children, you must make sure you keep them in the back seat of the vehicle. This will prevent children from moving around in the vehicle, or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving.
It is also a good idea to keep your phone away while you are driving and refrain from using it as a distraction. Texting or talking on the phone could be a major cause of rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car accident injury attorney near me is one of the most crucial components for you as a motorist however it can also be a hassle. If you are involved in an auto accident, your vehicle's engine might not start after you turn the key or press START.
This is not a problem which is simple to identify and fix, so it's best to bring your car crash attorney near me for a routine check-up when the check engine light turns on. The lights will let you know in the event of a problem with the battery, alternator or temperature, or any other part of your car that need attention.
If you're experiencing difficulty getting your car started after a minor accident it could be because of a malfunctioning inertial switch that shuts off power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is designed to protect your vehicle from catching on fire in the event of a collision however, it could also cause damage to your engine if shut off.
It's possible that you are unable to start your car accident lawyers no injury after an accident due to the fact that your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this case, you will need to consult a mechanic in order to find out what caused the problem and then fix it.
Even if you have a well-maintained car it is crucial to run the engine often to make sure that it's properly lubricated. This can be done by turning off the engine and letting it warm for about 30 minutes or as long.
When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's belts, hoses air cleaners and other components to ensure that they are in good functioning order. This will increase your gas mileage as well as ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
This is a great way to ensure that your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires will enable them to take on the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a blowout or other damage.