What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident could be a devastation. It can cause loss of income, benefits and significant expenses out of pocket.
If you're a victim of an auto accident or a bystander who's watching one, there are numerous ways you can ensure your safety and aid others.
Avoiding Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it can be a major risk to your safety as well as that of others. Food, texting, and grooming are among the most frequent distractions.
Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or even death to the people around them. Drivers who are distracted might ignore road signs and hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues.
Distractions could be anything that distracts a driver's attention away from the road and can cause them to lose control. They can be either visual as well as cognitive, manual or both and each has its own distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions include things that distract a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. This can be very dangerous particularly if the driver is travelling at highway speeds, or when they are walking or passing pedestrians.
Manual distractions can be dangerous, especially when drivers do not pay attention to the road, or do not react quickly. Consuming food while driving or changing the radio station, and reaching for something in the back of the car can be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions are not as obvious but equally deadly type of distractions. They can involve talking on a phone, singing, or thinking about an emotionally charged scenario. They can also be indications of drowsiness, which can make it hard for drivers to stay focused on the road.
Set boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. You can do this by establishing rules and living by example.
It's important to keep in mind that everyone is at risk of being a distracted driver, and it's not only teens or drivers who are just starting out. Older drivers, tired drivers and even pets can all be potential distractions when driving.
You can also encourage them to put their mobile phone on "do not disturb" mode and switch it off when they are driving. You can also help your friend to turn off their phone and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they are driving.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in the front of you is one of the most important ways to ensure your vehicle's safety. This can help prevent a collision and ensure that you are protected and the people
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There are many ways to make sure you're following the correct distance while driving. You can use the 3-second calculation to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes around three seconds to react when a vehicle brakes suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won't have enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens.
This is particularly true for truck drivers, who need ample space to safely brake when approaching an end. Many accidents involving semis as well as large rigs are caused by drivers who fail to follow this road rule and can result in serious injuries, or even death for all involved.
You can also determine the distance you need to follow a car by calculating the amount of time you need to reach a particular point after the vehicle in the front has passed it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree or any other roadside marker, and observing the car in front of you pass it.
Repeat the count. Once you've decided how long it will take for your car to get to that spot after another vehicle has passed, start counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3,001 until you get to a three-second gap between you and the
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If you're unable achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowing down to avoid a crash, but it's worth the extra effort.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and using the 3-second rule, you can prevent these crashes and other collisions which could cause serious damage to your car and the people in the vicinity.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions account for more than a third of all accidents and cause around 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are much more deadly, rear-end collisions are still a significant cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also result in soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
These injuries can leave drivers with significant discomfort and pain in their neck, shoulder, and back areas. They often require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to recover from.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means you should be following the vehicles at a safe speed and not be a tailgater.
Driving too fast could increase the likelihood of a rear-end collision because you may not have enough time to notice and react to potential hazards, such as slower or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds of follow-through
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Rear-end collisions can be particularly dangerous when road or weather conditions are challenging. When driving in severe rain or snow, for example you should increase your following distance and exercise extra care.
To avoid a rear-end collision, make sure you check your rear-view mirror regularly depending on how congested the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you determine if a car in front of you has stopped or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to change lanes or pull away from a lot. This will help the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and help prevent them from swerving out of their lane to strike you.
Always ensure that children are in the back of the vehicle when you are traveling with them. This will stop them from moving around the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
It is recommended to not use your phone while driving and to not use it as a distraction. Talking or texting on your phone could be a major cause of rear-end collisions.
Maintaining Your Engine
The engine of your vehicle could be among the most important parts
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This is not a problem which is simple 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 inform 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're experiencing difficulty getting your
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Another reason you might not be capable of starting your engine following an accident is that the crash could have caused your car's transmission to stop working properly. In this instance, you'll need to seek the help of an expert mechanic to pinpoint what caused the issue and fix it before you can start your car again.
Even if your vehicle has an engine that's in good shape, it's still important to check it out once every so often to ensure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by turning off the engine and letting it warm up for 30 seconds or so.
When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's belts, hoses, air cleaners and other parts to ensure they are in good working order. This will increase your fuel efficiency and also ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
It's also a great way to ensure that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. When your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and decrease the chance of a tire blowout or other damage.