What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident could be a traumatic event. It can result in the loss of income and benefits, massive out-of-pocket expenses, and serious injuries that require extensive treatment.
If you’re the victim of an auto accident or who’s watching one, there are a variety of actions you can take to protect yourself and help others.
Beware of Distractions
If you’re distracted while driving, it could have a dramatic impact on your safety as well as that of others. The most frequent distractions include eating, texting, and grooming.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could result in serious injuries and deaths for those around them. Drivers who are distracted may ignore road signs and dangers or miss out on unexpected dangers.
Distractions can be anything that diverts the driver’s attention away from the road which causes them to lose control. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each comes with their own distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions can distract drivers’ attention from the road, for example, using a GPS or the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. It can be dangerous, especially when a driver is driving at highway speeds, and passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can also be dangerous, particularly if drivers don’t pay attention to the road, or do not react quickly. Consuming food while driving changing the radio station and reaching for something in the backseat could be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be just as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by conversations on the phone, singing or thinking about a personal issue. They could also be indicators of drowsiness and make it hard to keep a driver’s attention on the road.
The best way to avoid distractions while driving is to set boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be done by modeling behavior and setting rules that restrict screen time.
It is important to keep in mind that distracted driving is a risk for everyone, not just teens and drivers who are new. Even pets, elderly people and motorists who are drowsy can be distractions when driving.
If you have a loved one who is prone to distraction while driving, make sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road, and how to stop this from happening. You can also advise them to put their cell phone in “do not distract” mode and turn it off when they are behind the wheel.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in the direction of you is one of the most important things you can do for your car’s safety. This will help avoid a collision and ensure that you are protected and the people in the vicinity from injury and death.
There are many ways to ensure you’re following the correct distance when driving. You can apply the 3-second formula to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that it takes about three seconds for you to react when another car accident lawyer near me brakes suddenly. If you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially true for truck drivers who require plenty of space to stop safely at the traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis as well as large trucks occur due to drivers failing to observe this road rule, which can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities for everyone involved.
You can also measure the distance you must follow a car by calculating the amount of time you need to reach a fixed location after the vehicle in the front has passed by it. This can be accomplished by watching the car wreck attorneys near me the direction of an overhead sign, a tree or other roadside marker.
Count again. Once you’ve decided the time it will take your car to reach that location after a car has passed, start counting. Count 1-1,000; 2-1,000; and then 3-1,000, until you reach three seconds gap between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
If you’re unable to achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. It might require you to slow down to avoid a collision however, the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and utilizing the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these collisions as well as other collisions that could cause serious damage to your car injury attorneys and those in the vicinity.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account to more than a third of all accidents and result in 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are much more risky, rear-end collisions are still a significant source of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can lead to a range of soft tissue injuries, including whiplash.
These injuries can cause drivers to experience significant discomfort and pain in their back, shoulder and neck areas. These injuries typically require physical therapy, medical costs and lost wages to heal.
The best method to avoid a rear-end collision is to stay away from other vehicles. This means you should be following them at a reasonable speed and not tailgate them.
Driving too fast could increase the risk of a rear-end collision as you may not have enough time to be able to recognize and react to dangers, like slower or stopped traffic ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum distance of following distance and larger vehicles more.
If the weather or road conditions are poor, rear-end collisions are more dangerous. If you’re driving in snow or heavy rain, for instance, increase your distance to follow.
To avoid the possibility of a rear-end crash, make sure to check your rearview mirror frequently depending on how busy the traffic ahead of you. This will help you determine if the driver behind you is slowing down or applying the brakes.
Use your turn signals to change lanes or pull from a parking lot. This will enable the driver behind you see your car and stop them from swerving into your lane in order to hit you.
If you’re traveling in a vehicle with children, always make sure you keep them in the back of the vehicle. This will stop children from running around the car or becoming confused and distracted while you are driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking or texting on your phone can be a major contributing factor in 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’re involved in an accident, the engine of your car may not start immediately after you turn the key or press START.
This is not a problem that is easy to identify and resolve, so it’s advisable to take your vehicle to a mechanic at the moment the check engine light comes on. The lights will notify you when there’s a problem with the battery, alternator or temperature, or any other part of your car that require attention.
If you are having difficulties starting your vehicle following an accident that isn’t too serious, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that shuts off the power to the 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.
You might not be able to start your car accident injury attorneys following an accident due to the fact that your vehicle’s engine transmission has stopped functioning properly. In this situation you’ll have to seek assistance from a mechanic to figure out the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you can begin your car once more.
Even if you own a well-maintained car accident attorney it is essential to check the engine every once or twice to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by turning the engine on slowly and waiting for it to warm for 30 seconds.
When you do this, you’re taking the opportunity to inspect all your vehicle’s hoses and belts, air cleaners, and other components to ensure that they are in good operating condition. This will increase your fuel mileage and help keep your vehicle operating smoothly.
This is also a great way to ensure that your tires are inflated properly. Properly inflated tires will enable them to take on the road more effectively and lower the risk of a blowout, or any other damage.