What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can result in devastating effects. It can result in a loss of income, benefits, and substantial out-of pocket costs. If you're a victim in an auto accident or who is watching one, there are many things you can do to ensure your safety and aid others. Avoid distractions If you are distracted while driving, it can have a dramatic impact on your safety and that of others. The most frequent distractions are eating, texting, and grooming. Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to those around them. This is due to distracted driving that can cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected issues right in front of them, or to ignore important road warning signs. Distractions can refer to anything that diverts the driver's attention away from the road which causes them to lose control. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each comes with distinctive characteristics. Visual distractions can be anything that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard or rubbernecking an accident. It can be dangerous, especially when a driver is driving at highway speeds, and passing pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions can also be harmful, 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 or reaching for something in the backseat could all be very distracting. Cognitive distractions can be as harmful as other distractions. They could be a result of conversations on the phone or a song, or thinking about a personal issue. They can also be indications of drowsiness that can make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road. The best way to avoid distracting behavior while driving is to set good boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can accomplish this by establishing rules and living by example. It's important to keep in mind that everyone is at risk of being a distracted driver, and it's not just teens or new drivers. Even pets, older people and drowsy motorists can cause distractions while driving. If you have a loved one who is prone to distracted driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road, and how to prevent this from happening. You can also help your friend to switch off their phone and turn it on do-not-disturb mode when they are driving. Beware of Your Distance One of the most important actions you can take to ensure your car is safe while driving is to maintain a safe distance between you and any vehicle ahead of you. This can help avoid an accident, and help protect you and others near you from injury and death. There are numerous ways to ensure that you're driving at the correct distance. You can utilize the 3-second calculation to determine if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you'll need approximately three seconds to react when a vehicle suddenly brakes. If best auto accident lawyers near me are too close to the car ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely. This is particularly true for truck drivers, who need plenty of space to brake safely when they are approaching a stop. This rule of the road is often ignored by drivers, which can result in serious injuries and even deaths. You can also determine the distance required to follow a car by calculating the amount of time it takes to reach a particular location after the vehicle in the front has passed by 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 determined how long it takes your car to get there after the other driver has passed it, begin counting again. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 31,000 until you get to a three-second gap between you and the car in front. If you're not able to get three seconds in one row and you're not able to do that, gradually increase your following distance until you get there. This could mean slowing down to avoid an accident but it's worth the effort. The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front of them. By increasing your following distance and following the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these crashes and other collisions which could cause severe damage to your vehicle and the people near you. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions are amongst most frequent types of car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for nearly one third of all crashes that result in an estimated 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are much more risky, rear-end collisions are still a significant source of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also lead to a variety of soft tissue injuries, including whiplash. These injuries can cause severe pain in the neck, back and shoulder regions. They usually require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to heal from. Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means you should follow behind the vehicles at a safe speed and not be a tailgater. Driving too fast could increase the chance of a rear-end collision since you may not have enough time to react to potential hazards, such as slower or stopped traffic the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance for passenger cars, and greater for larger vehicles. Rear-end collisions can be extremely risky when the road or weather conditions are threatening. If you're driving in extreme rain or snow, for example you must increase your following distance and take extra care. Be sure to check your rear view mirror regularly to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on how crowded the traffic is ahead of you. This will allow you to determine if the driver behind you is slowing down or applying the brakes. Another good habit to adopt is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or pulling out of parking lots. This will assist the driver behind you to see your vehicle and stop them from turning into their direction to hit you. Always keep children in the back of the vehicle while traveling with them. This will stop them from bouncing about the vehicle, or getting lost and distracted while driving. It is an excellent idea to keep your phone off the road while you are driving and refrain from using it to distract yourself. Talking or texting on your phone can be a significant contributor to rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your car is one of the most vital components for you as a motorist however it can also be a hassle. If you get into an accident, the engine of your car might not start after you turn the key or press START. This isn't a issue that is easy to identify and solve, so it's best to bring your car in for a checkup as soon as the check engine light turns on. The lights will be alerted the car if it has an issue in the area of battery temperature, temperature, alternator, or any other aspect. If you're experiencing difficulty getting your car to start after a minor accident it could be because of a tripped inertial switch that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is intended to safeguard your car from lighting on fire in the event of a crash however, it could also cause damage to your engine if damaged if it is tripped. Another reason why you may not be in a position to start your engine after an accident is that the collision may have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop functioning properly. In this situation you'll need the help of a mechanic to determine the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you can begin your car once more. Even if you have an engine that is in good condition it is crucial to run the engine once or twice to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by gently turning on the engine and letting it warm for 30 seconds or as long. When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's belts, hoses air cleaners and other components to ensure they're in good operating condition. This will increase your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is operating smoothly. This is a great way to ensure that your tires are inflated properly. Properly inflated tires will enable them to better grip the road and reduce the chance of a blowout or any other damage.
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