What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car crash can have devastating consequences. It can cause loss of income and benefits, significant out-of-pocket costs, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment. You can aid yourself and others by staying safe if you are the victim of a car accident or a witness. Avoid distractions Distracted driving has a huge impact on both your safety as well as the safety of others. Texting, eating, and grooming are just a few of the most frequently-repeated distractions. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it may result in serious injuries and even death for those in their vicinity. This is due to distracted driving that can cause drivers to overlook dangers and unexpected issues right in front of them, or to ignore important road warning signs. Distractions refer to anything that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be visual, manual or cognitive and each type is unique in its own way. Visual distractions refer to things that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or rubbernecking in a car accident. This can be very risky especially when the driver is driving at a high speed or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions are also dangerous, particularly if drivers fail to pay attention to the road or cannot react quickly. Driving while eating can be extremely distracting, as can changing the radio station, or reaching for something in the back of the car. Cognitive distractions are not as obvious but equally dangerous category of distractions. They can involve conversations on a cell phone, singing, or pondering an emotional situation. They could also be a sign of drowsiness that can make it difficult for a driver to focus on the road. Set up good boundaries and practice attentive drive to keep your eyes off the road. You can accomplish this by setting rules and leading by example. It is important to keep in mind that distracted driving poses danger for all drivers not just teenagers and drivers who are new. Even pets, older drivers and motorists who are sleepy can cause 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 attention to the road and how to stop this from happening. You can also help your friend to switch off their phone and set it on do-not-disturb mode while they drive. Keeping Your Distance One of the most important things you can do to ensure the safety of your vehicle when driving is to keep an appropriate distance between yourself and any vehicle that is ahead of you. This can help avoid a collision, and ensure that you are protected and the people in the vicinity from injury and death. There are auto accident lawyers near me of ways you can ensure that you're following the correct distance. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule. It's a an easy calculation that will aid you in determining if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you'll need approximately three seconds to react in the event that another vehicle suddenly stops. If you're too close to the vehicle in front of you it won't give you enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens. This is particularly true for truck drivers, who need plenty of space to safely brake when approaching a stop. This road safety rule is often not observed by drivers, resulting in serious injuries or deaths. In addition to the three-second rule you can also measure your distance to follow by finding an object fixed and calculating the time it takes you to reach the same location after the vehicle ahead of you passes it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree, or other roadside marker and watching the vehicle in front of you pass it. Count again. Once you've determined the time it will take your vehicle to reach that location after a car has passed, start counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3-1,000 until have a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. If you're not able to achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowing down to avoid an accident but it's definitely worth the extra effort. The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing the distance you follow and following the 3-second rule, you can prevent these crashes and other collisions which could cause severe damage to your vehicle and the people in the vicinity. 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 almost three-quarters of all crashes that result in approximately 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are more hazardous, rear-end collisions can still cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also cause soft-tissue injuries like whiplash. These injuries can cause drivers to suffer severe discomfort and pain in their neck, shoulder and back areas. They typically require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to recover from. Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means you must be following them at a safe speed and not to tailgate them. There is a higher chances of rear-end collisions by driving too close. This is because you don't have enough time to respond to dangers such as slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that passenger cars maintain a three-second minimum distance to follow and larger vehicles more. Rear-end collisions can be particularly dangerous when road or weather conditions are hazardous. If you're driving in heavy rain or snow for instance, you may need to increase your following distance. To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rearview mirror frequently, depending on how congested the traffic ahead of you. This will allow you to identify if the driver in front of you has reduced speed or applied the brakes. Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or pulling out of parking spaces. This helps the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and aid in stopping them from swerving out of their lane to strike you. If you're in a vehicle with children, always ensure that they are in the back of the vehicle. This will stop them from running around the vehicle, or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving. It is recommended to avoid using your phone when driving and avoid using it to distract yourself. 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 among the most crucial components for you as a motorist however it can also be frustrating. In the event of an accident you might find that your car's engine won't start when you turn the key. This is not a problem that is easy to identify and solve, so it's best to take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as the check engine light turns on. The lights will illuminate if your car has issues in the areas of temperature, battery, alternator or any other area. If you have difficulties starting your vehicle following an accident of a minor nature it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts off power to the fuel pump. This is designed to shield your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of a crash but it can also cause damage to your engine if tripped. It is possible that you won't be able to start your car following an accident as your car's engine transmission isn't working properly. In this scenario you'll need to consult a mechanic in order to find out what caused the problem and fix it. Even if your car is equipped with an engine that's healthy however, it's important to check it out once a while to make sure that it's lubricated properly and is working. This can be done by turning off the engine and letting it warm for about 30 seconds or as long. When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners and other components to ensure they are in good functioning order. This will improve your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle running smoothly. This is a great way to ensure your tires are inflated properly. Properly filled tires will allow them to take on the road more effectively and lower the risk of a blowout or any other damage.
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