What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating effects. It can cause loss of income and benefits, large cost out of pocket, and severe injuries which require extensive treatment.
You can help yourself and others by being safe if you are the victim of a car accident or a witness to one.
Avoiding Distractions
Distracted driving can have a serious impact on your safety as well as the safety of others. Food, texting, and grooming are some of the most frequent distractions.
Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or even death to others near them. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to overlook dangers and unexpected issues right in front of them, or to ignore important road warning signs.
Distractions are any activity that diverts drivers' attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be physical as well as cognitive, manual or both and each type has its own distinct characteristics.
Visual distractions are those that take a driver's eyes off the road, like using a GPS or a billboard, or rubbernecking during an accident. This can be very dangerous particularly when the driver is traveling at highway speeds or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can also be dangerous, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. Consuming food while driving changing the radio station and reaching for something in the backseat can be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be just as harmful as other distractions. They could include calling or singing, or even thinking about a personal issue. They can also be signs of drowsiness, which can make it difficult for a driver to stay focused on the road.
The best way to stay clear of distracting behaviors while driving is to set good boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be done by modeling behavior and establishing rules to limit screen time.
It's important to keep in mind that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver and it's not only teens or drivers who are just starting out. Even pets, older individuals and drowsy motorists can cause distractions while driving.
You can also encourage them to put their cell phone on "do not disturb" mode and then turn it off when they are behind the wheel. It is also a good idea to encourage them to put their mobile phone in "do not distract" mode and then turn it off when they are driving.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front of you is among of the most important things you can do to ensure your car's safety. This can help prevent a collision and protect you and others around you from injury and death.
There are several ways to make sure that you're taking the proper distance when driving. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule. It's an easy calculation that can aid you in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you need around three seconds to respond in the event that another vehicle suddenly stops. If you're too close to the vehicle in the distance it won't give you enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens.
This is particularly applicable to truck drivers who require plenty of space to stop safely before approaching a traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis as well as large rigs occur because drivers fail to follow this rule of the road and could result in grave injuries or even deaths for all involved.
In addition to using the three-second rule, it is possible to also determine your distance to follow by finding a fixed object and counting how long it takes for you to reach the same point after the vehicle ahead of you passes it. You can do this by looking for an overhead road sign, tree, or any other roadside marker, and then watching the car in front of you drive by it.
Once you've figured out how long it takes your car to arrive at the spot when the other vehicle passes it, start counting again. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 31,000 until you have a gap of three seconds between you and the car ahead.
If you're unable to reach three seconds, you can increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowing down to avoid collision but it's worth the effort.
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 extending your following distance.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst the most common types of automobile accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for almost a third of all crashes that result in around 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions can be more dangerous, rear-end collisions can cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also lead to a myriad of soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe discomfort in the back, neck and shoulder regions. They usually require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to recover from.
The best method to avoid rear-end collisions is to keep a distance from other vehicles. This means following behind them at the appropriate speed and never speeding up to them.
Being too fast can increase the risk of a rear-end collision as you may not have enough time to react to dangers, such as slow or stopped traffic ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends that motorists maintain a three-second minimum distance of following distance and larger vehicles more.
When the weather or road conditions are poor rear-end collisions can be more dangerous. When driving in severe snow or rain, for example, you should increase your following distance and take extra precautions.
To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rear-view mirror frequently depending on how crowded the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you determine whether the driver behind you is slowing down or applying the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or pull out of a lot. This will help the driver behind you to see your car and prevent them from swerving out of their lane in order 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 bouncing around the car or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
It is recommended to keep your phone away when driving and refrain from using it to distract you. Talking or atlanta auto accident attorney on your phone can be a significant cause of rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car is among the most crucial components for you as a driver however, it can also be frustrating. If you're involved in an auto accident, your vehicle's engine might not begin after you turn the key or press START.
The issue is difficult to determine or fix therefore, you should take your car in as soon as the light is on. The lights will illuminate the car if it has a problem in the areas of battery, temperature, alternator, or any other part of the.
If you're experiencing difficulty starting your car after an accident that was minor, it could be because of a malfunctioning inertial sensor that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is designed to prevent your car from lighting on fire in the event of an accident however, it could also cause damage to your engine if it gets damaged if it is tripped.
It is possible that you won't be able to start your car following an accident because your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this situation, you'll need to seek assistance from an expert mechanic to determine the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you are able to start your vehicle again.
Even if your car has an engine that's in good shape is still necessary to check it out once the course of time to ensure that it's lubricated properly and is working. This can be done by turning the engine and letting it warm for 30 minutes or so.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners and other parts to ensure they are in good working order. This will increase your fuel mileage and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
It's also a great method to ensure that your tires have the correct pressure. When your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and reduce the chances of a tire blowout or any other damage.