What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car crash can have devastating consequences. It can result in a loss of income, benefits and significant out-of-pocket expenses. If you're a victim in an auto accident or who's watching one, there are many ways you can ensure your safety and assist others. Beware of Distractions If you're distracted while driving, it can be a major risk to your safety as well as that of others. Eating, texting, or grooming are some of the most common distractions. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it may result in serious injuries and death for those who are around them. Drivers who are distracted may ignore road signs or hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues. Distractions could be anything that diverts a driver's attention from driving and can cause them to lose control. They can be either visual or manual and each type is unique in its own way. Visual distractions can distract drivers' attention from the road, like using a GPS or looking at a billboard or rubbernecking an accident. This can be dangerous, especially when the driver is driving at highway speeds while passing other vehicles or pedestrians. Manual distractions can be dangerous, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road and do not react quickly enough. Eating while driving or changing the radio station or reaching for something in the back of the car can be very distracting. Cognitive distractions can be just as harmful as other distractions. They could be a result of conversations on the phone or a song, or thinking about a difficult situation. They could also be indicators of drowsiness, which can make it hard for a driver stay focused on the road. Set good boundaries and practice attentive driving to be aware of distractions while driving. You can accomplish this by establishing rules and living by example. It is important to keep in mind that distracted driving is a risk for all drivers not just teenagers and drivers who are new. Even pets, older drivers and drowsy motorists could be distractions while driving. If you know someone who is susceptible to distraction while driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eye on the road and ways to prevent this from happening. You can also advise your friend to shut off their phone and set it on do-not-disturb mode while they drive. Keep Your Distance Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in the direction of you is one of the best ways to ensure your car's safety. This will help avoid an accident and protect you and those around you from injury or death. There are a variety of ways to make sure that you're taking the correct distance when driving. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule. It's a simple calculation that can aid you in determining if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes three seconds to react when a car brakes abruptly. If you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely. This is particularly true for truck drivers, who require plenty of space to brake safely when approaching the stop. Many accidents involving semis and big rigs happen because drivers fail to observe this rule of the road, which can lead to serious injuries, or even death for all involved. You can also estimate the distance you must follow a vehicle by measuring the time it takes you to get to a specific point after the vehicle in the front has passed it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree or other roadside marker and observing the car in front of you drive by it. Once you've established how long it takes your car to arrive at the spot when the other vehicle passes it, continue counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3-1,000 until you reach a three-second gap between you and the car ahead. If you're unable reach three seconds, you can increase your following distance gradually until you get there. This may involve slowing down to avoid collision but it's definitely worth the effort. The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front. By increasing the distance you follow and following the 3-second rule, you can avoid these collisions and other collisions which could cause severe damage to your vehicle and those surrounding you. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for more than a third of all crashes, and they result in an estimated 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. Although front-end collisions can be more dangerous, rear-end collisions can result in serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions are also prone to a variety of soft tissue injuries, including whiplash. These injuries can cause significant pain in the neck, back and shoulder regions. They often require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to heal from. The best method to avoid rear-end collisions is to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. This means you must follow them at a reasonable speed and not to tailgate them. There is a higher risk of rear-end collisions when driving too close. This is because you won't have enough time to react to potential hazards such as slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that drivers maintain a three-second minimum distance of following distance, and larger vehicles even more. Rear-end collisions can be extremely dangerous when weather or road conditions are challenging. If you are driving in heavy snow or rain for instance you should increase the distance you follow and take extra care. To avoid the possibility of a rear-end crash, make sure to check your rear-view mirror frequently depending on how congested the traffic is in front of you. This will allow you to determine whether the car in front of you is slowing down or applying the brakes. Use your turn signals to switch lanes or pull out of a parking lot. This will assist the driver behind you to see your vehicle and prevent them from turning into their path to hit you. If you're in a car with children, always ensure that they are in the back seat of the vehicle. This will keep children from bouncing around in the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while you are driving. It's also a good idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking on the phone, or texting could lead to rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your vehicle could be one of the most important parts for you as a driver, but it can be also one of the most frustrating parts. If you get into an accident, the engine of your car might not start until you turn the key or press START. This isn't an issue which is simple to identify and repair, so it's recommended to bring your car to a mechanic when the check engine light comes on. The lights will indicate you if your vehicle is experiencing a problem in the areas of battery, temperature, alternator or any other area. If you're having difficulties starting your vehicle following a minor accident it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts off fuel pump's power. This switch is designed to prevent your vehicle from catching fire in the case of a collision, but it can also damage your engine if it's tripped. You might not be able to start your car following an accident as your car's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this instance, you'll need to seek the help of an expert mechanic to pinpoint the cause of the issue and then fix it before you are able to start your car once more. Even if you own an engine that is in good condition it is crucial to run the engine every often to make sure it's properly lubricated. auto accident injury lawyers can be accomplished by gently turning on the engine and letting it warm up for about 30 seconds or as long. When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners and other parts to ensure that they are in good functioning order. This will help improve your gas mileage as well as ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly. It's also a great method to ensure that your tires have the proper pressure. If your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and lessen the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.
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