Description
Five Lessons You Can Learn From Auto Accident Lawyers
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can be a traumatic event. It can cause loss of income and benefits, massive out-of-pocket costs, and severe injuries that require a long-term treatment.
If you're a victim in an auto accident or a bystander who's witnessing one, there are numerous things you can do to keep yourself safe and help others.
Beware of Distractions
If you're distracted when driving, it could be a major risk to your safety and the safety of others. The most frequent distractions include texting, eating and grooming.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it can cause serious injuries and deaths for those around them. Drivers who are distracted can disregard road signs and hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues.
Distractions are anything that diverts drivers' attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be either visual or manual, and each type has its own distinct characteristics.
Visual distractions include things that divert a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or watching a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. auto accident attorneys near me can be dangerous, especially when a driver is driving at highway speeds while passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can be risky, particularly when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or react quickly. While driving, eating or changing the radio station and reaching for something in the backseat could be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by conversations on the phone or singing, or even thinking about a difficult situation. They could also be indicators of drowsiness and make it hard for drivers to stay focused on the road.
The best way to stay clear of distracting behavior while driving is to establish boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be accomplished by modeling behavior and setting rules that restrict screen time.
It's important to remember that everyone is at risk of being distracted while driving, and it's certainly not just teens or drivers who are just starting out. Even pets, older individuals and drowsy motorists could be distractions while driving.
If you have a loved one who is prone to distracted driving, make sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their focus on the road and ways to avoid this happening. You can also help them to put their cell phone in "do not disturb" mode and turn off the phone when they are driving.
Staying Away
Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle's safety. This can help prevent the possibility of a collision, and also protect you and those around you from harm or death.
There are a variety of ways you can ensure that you're traveling at the right 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 require about three seconds to react in the event that another vehicle suddenly stops. If you are too close to the car in front of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially relevant for truck drivers who require plenty of room to stop safely at a traffic stop. This road safety rule is often ignored by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and deaths.
In addition to the three-second rule, it is possible to also determine your following distance mentally by finding an object that is fixed and then calculating how long it takes you to get to the same place after the car in front of you passes it. You can do this by looking for an overhead road sign, a tree, or any other roadside marker, and watching the car ahead of you go by it.
Recount. Once you've determined the time it will take you to arrive at that location after another car has passed, start counting. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 3,001 until you have reached three seconds between you and the car ahead of you.
If you can't reach three seconds in a row then gradually increase your distance to follow until you get there. It may mean slowed down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front of them. By increasing your following distance and utilizing the 3-second rule, you can prevent these crashes and other collisions which could cause serious damage to your car and those in the vicinity.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for almost three-quarters of all crashes and cause about 2,000 deaths every year in the United States.
Although front-end collisions are far more fatal, rear-end collisions can be still a significant cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also lead to a range of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries could cause drivers to be afflicted with severe pain and discomfort in the back, shoulder and neck areas. 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 following behind them at an appropriate speed and not following them.
You can increase your chance of rear-end collisions if you're driving too close. This is because you won't be able to have enough time to respond to dangers such as slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that motorists maintain a three-second minimum distance to follow and larger vehicles more.
Rear-end collisions can be especially dangerous when road or weather conditions are challenging. If you are driving in heavy rain or snow for example, increase your distance to follow.
To avoid the possibility of a rear-end crash, make sure to check your rear-view mirror regularly depending on how busy the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you discern if a motorist behind you has reduced speed or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or pull out of a lot. This will enable the driver behind you see your vehicle and stop them from swerving into your path to hit you.
If you're in a vehicle with children, always ensure that they are in the back seat of the vehicle. This will prevent them from bouncing about the vehicle, or getting lost and distracting while you are driving.
It is an excellent idea to keep your phone off the road while driving and not use it to distract yourself. Texting or talking on the phone can be a key cause of rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your vehicle could be among the most important elements for you as a driver, however it could also be among the most frustrating components. In the event of an accident you may find that the engine of your car won't start when you turn the key.
The issue isn't simple to identify or fix So you must bring your car in as soon as the light comes on. The lights will indicate if your car has a problem in the areas of battery, temperature, alternator, or any other aspect.
If you're experiencing difficulty getting your car started after an accident that was minor, it could be the result of a malfunctioning inertial switch that cuts off power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is intended to safeguard your car from lighting on fire in the event of a crash, but it can also cause damage to the engine if it is damaged if it is tripped.
You may not be able start your car following an accident, because your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this scenario, you will have to seek out a mechanic in order to find out the cause of the issue and then fix it.
Even if you own an engine that is in good condition it is crucial to check the engine every once or twice to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be done by turning off the engine and letting it warm up for about 30 seconds or for a few minutes.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's hoses, belts, 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 running smoothly.
It's also a great way to ensure your tires have the proper pressure. Properly filled tires will allow them to grip the road more effectively and decrease the chance of a blowout or other damage.
