What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car crash can be a devastation. It can cause loss of income and benefits, large out-of-pocket costs, and severe injuries which require extensive treatment.
Whether you're the victim of an auto accident or a bystander who is witnessing one, there are numerous ways to ensure your safety and assist others.
Avoid Distractions
If you're distracted when driving, it can affect your safety as well as that of others. Some of the most common distractions include texting, eating and grooming.
Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or death to others who are around them. This is because distracted driving can cause drivers to disregard dangers and unexpected complications that are right in front of them, or miss important road signs.
Distractions can refer to anything that diverts a driver's attention from the road which causes them to lose control. They can be physical, manual or cognitive and each has its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions can be anything that distract drivers from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. This could be risky, especially when a driver is traveling at highway speeds, and passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can be harmful, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. Eating while driving can be a major distraction, as can changing the radio station or reaching for something in the back of the car.
Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by conversations on the phone, singing or thinking about a stressful situation. They can also be signs of drowsiness, which could make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road.
The
best car wreck attorney way to stay clear of distracting driving habits is to set boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can do this by establishing rules and leading by example.
It is important to remember that driving distracted poses an issue for everyone not just teenagers and drivers who are new. Older people, drivers who are drowsy and even pets can all be potential distractions while driving.
If you have a loved one who is prone to distraction while driving, be sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eye on the road, and how to stop this from happening. You can also encourage your friend to turn off their phone and set it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they are driving.
Beware of Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front of you is among of the most important actions you can take to ensure your vehicle's safety. This will help avoid the possibility of a collision, and also protect you and those around you from harm or death.
There are a variety of ways to ensure you're following the correct distance while driving. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule, which is a a simple calculation that can aid you in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes approximately three seconds for you to react when a car 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 require ample space to safely brake as they approach the stop. Many accidents involving semis or large trucks occur due to drivers failing to follow this rule of the road and could result in grave injuries or even deaths for all involved.
You can also estimate the distance you have to follow a vehicle by counting the amount of time it takes to get to a specific point after the vehicle at the front has passed it. This can be done by watching the
car accident injury lawyers advance of an overhead sign, tree or other roadside markers.
Repeat the count. Once you've determined the time it will take your vehicle to reach the spot after another driver has passed, begin counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 31,000 until you get to a three-second gap between you and the vehicle in front.
If you're unable to complete three seconds in an uninterrupted row, gradually increase your following distance until you can. It might require a slowing down to avoid a collision but the extra effort is worth it.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. You can avoid these collisions as well as others by increasing your following distance.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst 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 crashes and cause 2,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Although front-end collisions can be more dangerous, rear-end collisions can still cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe pain in the neck, back and shoulder regions. They often require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to heal from.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means following them at a safe speed and not tailgating them.
You could increase the chance of rear-end collisions if you're driving too close. This is because you won't have enough time to react to hazards like slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum distance to follow and larger vehicles more.
When weather or road conditions are poor rear-end collisions are much more risky. If you're driving during heavy snow or rain for instance, you may need to increase your distance to follow.
Make sure to check your rear-view mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This depends on how busy the traffic is in front of you. This will allow you to discern if a motorist behind you has been slowing down or has applied the brakes.
Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of parking spaces. This will allow drivers behind you be aware of your vehicle and prevent them from swerving into your vehicle to avoid hitting you.
If you are traveling in a
car injury attorney near me with children, make sure you keep them in the back of the vehicle. This will prevent children from moving around in the vehicle, or getting lost and distracted while driving.
It is an excellent idea to not use your phone while you are driving and not use it to distract yourself. Texting or talking on the phone texting may result in rear-end collisions.
Making sure your engine is running
The engine in your car is among the most important parts
lawyers for car accident near me you as a motorist, but it can be frustrating. If you're involved in an accident, your vehicle's engine might not start until you turn the key or press START.
The issue is difficult to diagnose or fix, so you should take your vehicle in as soon as the light comes on. The lights will alert you in the event of a problem with the battery, alternator or temperature, or any other part of your car that need attention.
If you have trouble starting your vehicle after a minor accident, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts the power to the fuel pump. This is intended to safeguard your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of a collision however, it could also cause damage to your engine if shut off.
You may not be able start your
attorney car accident injury following an accident, because your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this instance you'll have to seek the help of a mechanic to determine what caused the issue and correct it before you can start your vehicle again.
Even if your car is equipped with an engine that's in good shape is still necessary to run it every once in every so often to ensure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by turning the engine off gently and let it warm for 30 minutes.
You can take this opportunity to inspect all belts, hoses, and air cleaners in your vehicle to ensure they're working correctly. This will boost your gas mileage and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
This is also a great technique to ensure your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires will enable them to grip the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a blowout or any other damage.