What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident could be a devastation. It could result in loss of income, benefits, and significant expenses out of pocket. If you're a victim of an auto accident or who is witnessing one, there are a variety of actions you can take to protect yourself and help others. Avoid distractions If you're distracted while driving, it can be a major risk to your safety and the safety of others. Food, texting, and grooming are some of the most common distractions. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could cause grave injuries and death for those who are around them. Drivers who are distracted can ignore road signs or hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues. Distractions can be anything that diverts the driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each comes with distinctive characteristics. Visual distractions are things that distract drivers from the road. Examples include using a GPS or watching a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. This could be very dangerous particularly if the driver is travelling at highway speeds or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions are also dangerous, especially when drivers do not pay attention to the road or fail to react quickly. While driving, eating can be a major distraction, as can changing the radio station or reaching for something behind the vehicle. Cognitive distractions are a lesser-known but equally dangerous category of distractions. These can be distractions like calling or singing, or pondering an emotionally charged situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness, which can make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road. Set boundaries and practice attentive driving to avoid distractions while driving. This can be accomplished by living by example and establishing rules to restrict screen time. It is important to keep in mind that distracted driving poses a risk for everyone not just teenagers and drivers who are new. Older drivers, sleepy drivers and even pets could all be potential distractions while driving. If you have a loved one who is prone to distracted driving, make sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their eyes on the road and ways to stop this from happening. It is also a good idea to encourage them to put their mobile phone on do not disturb mode and turn off when they're behind the wheel. Beware of Your Distance Maintaining an appropriate distance from the vehicle in the front of you is one of the best things you can do to ensure your car's safety. This will help avoid an accident, and help protect yourself and others in the vicinity from injury and death. There are a variety of ways to ensure that you're following the correct distance. One way is to use the 3-second rule, which is a a simple calculation that can help you determine if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on the fact that it takes three seconds for you to react when another car stops abruptly. If you are too close to the car ahead of you, it could be difficult to stop safely. This is especially true of truck drivers, who need ample space to safely brake when approaching a stop. This rule of the road is often ignored by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. In addition to the three-second rule, it is possible to also determine your distance following by finding an object that is fixed and then calculating how long it takes you to arrive at the same place after the car in front of you passes it. This can be done by watching the car advance as it passes an overhead sign, a tree or any other roadside markers. Recount. Once you've decided how long it will take your car to reach the spot after another driver has passed, begin counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 31,000 until you get to a three-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead. If you're not able to get three seconds in a row, gradually increase the distance you follow until you get there. It may mean slowing down in order to avoid a collision, but the effort worth it. The most frequent rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing the distance you follow and following the 3-second rule, you can avoid these accidents and other collisions which could cause serious damage to your vehicle and the people around you. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that they represent about three-quarters of all crashes that result in an estimated 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are less risky, rear-end collisions are still a significant cause for injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also lead to a variety of soft tissue injuries, including whiplash. These injuries can cause severe pain in the neck, back and shoulder regions. These injuries usually require physical therapy, medical costs and lost wages in order to recover. Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means that you should follow behind them at the appropriate speed and never following them. Driving too fast could increase the risk of a rear-end collision since you may not have enough time to see and respond to dangers, like slower or stopped traffic in the area in front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum distance of following distance, and larger vehicles even more. If the weather or road conditions are hazardous rear-end collisions can be more dangerous. When driving through heavy 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 rearview mirror frequently, depending on how congested the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you discern if a motorist behind you has been slowing down or has applied the brakes. Use your turn signals to change lanes or pull from a parking lot. This will assist drivers behind you be aware of your vehicle and prevent them from swerving into their lane in order to hit you. Always ensure that your children are in the back of the car when you travel with them. This will stop them from bouncing about the vehicle, or getting lost and distracted while driving. It's also a good idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Texting or talking on the phone can be a significant cause of rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your car is one of the most important parts for you as a motorist however, it can also be frustrating. If you're involved in an accident, the engine of your car might not start after you turn the key or press START. This isn't an issue that's easy to diagnose and solve, so it's best to bring your car for a routine check-up as soon as the check engine light turns on. The lights will be alerted the car if it has issues in the areas of battery temperature, temperature, alternator or in any other area. If you're having trouble getting your car to start after a minor crash it could be because of a malfunctioning inertial switch which shuts off power to your vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to keep your car from burning in the event of a collision, however, it could also cause damage to your engine if it's tripped. Another reason why you may not be in a position to start your engine following an accident is that the crash could have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop working properly. In lawyer auto accident , you'll need to seek the help of a mechanic to figure out the cause of the issue and fix it before you can start your car once more. Even if you own an excellent car it is vital to run the engine periodically to ensure it's properly lubricated. This can be achieved by turning the engine on slowly and letting it warm for 30 minutes. When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to inspect all of your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they're 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 make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Properly inflated tires will enable them to be more effective on the road and lower the risk of a blowout, or any other damage.
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