What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating consequences. It can cause loss of income, benefits, and substantial out-of pocket costs.
If you're a victim of an auto accident or a bystander who is watching one, there are numerous ways you can ensure your safety and assist others.
Avoiding Distractions
Distracted driving has a huge impact on both your safety and that of others. Eating, texting, or grooming are among the most frequent distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could cause serious injuries and even death for the people near them. This is because distracted driving may cause drivers to overlook dangers and unexpected complications that are in front of them or miss important road 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 could be visual or cognitive, and each comes with their own distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions refer to things that distract a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or rubbernecking a
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Manual distractions can be very harmful, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and do not react quickly enough. While driving, eating can be extremely distracting and can be a distraction, as could changing the radio station or looking to something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions are not as obvious but equally dangerous category of distractions. These distractions include talking on a phone or singing, or thinking about an emotionally charged situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness and make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road.
Set up good boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. You can accomplish this by establishing rules and leading by example.
It's important to be aware that everyone is at risk of being distracted by a driver, and it's not just teens or new drivers. Even pets, older people and motorists who are drowsy can be distractions when driving.
If you know someone who is prone to distraction while driving, be sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eyes to the road and how to avoid this happening. You can also advise your friend to turn off their phone and set it on "do-not-disturb" mode while they drive.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in the direction of you is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your vehicle's safety. 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 make use of the 3-second calculation to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you'll 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 then you won't have the time to stop in a safe manner before a collision occurs.
This is particularly true for truck drivers, who require plenty of space to brake safely when approaching an end. Many accidents involving semis and big rigs happen because drivers fail to follow this rule of the road, which can lead to serious injuries, or even death
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You can also calculate the distance you need to follow a vehicle by counting the time it takes to reach a particular point after the vehicle in the front has passed it. This can be done by watching the
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Repeat the count. Once you've decided how long it will take your vehicle to reach the spot after another vehicle has passed, start counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3-1,000 until you reach a three-second gap between you and the
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If you're unable get to three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This may mean slowed down to avoid an accident, but it's worth the extra effort.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front of them. You can avoid these collisions and other accidents by increasing your following distance.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequent auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that they constitute nearly three-quarters of all crashes and cause around 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Although front-end collisions may be more fatal, rear end collisions can cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also lead to a range of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause significant pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas. These injuries usually require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages to heal.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means following behind them at an appropriate speed and not tailgating them.
You can increase your risk of rear-end collisions by driving too close. This is because you won't have enough time to react to hazards like slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that passenger cars maintain a three-second minimum following distance, and larger vehicles even more.
When weather or road conditions are not ideal rear-end collisions are more risky. If you're driving in heavy snow or rain
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Be sure to check your rear view mirror regularly to avoid a rear end collision. This will depend on the volume of the road ahead of you. This will allow you to determine if the driver behind you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of parking spaces. This will allow drivers behind you see your car and stop them from turning into their path to hit you.
If you're travelling in a car with children, always make sure you keep them in the back of the vehicle. This will keep children from bouncing around in the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking on the phone or texting may result in rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your vehicle could be one of the most important parts for you as a driver, however it could be also one of the most frustrating components. In the event of an accident you may find that your car's engine doesn't start when you turn the key.
This isn't an issue which is simple to identify and repair, so it's recommended to bring your car for a routine check-up at the moment the check engine light turns on. The lights will alert you if your vehicle is experiencing an issue in the area of battery, temperature, alternator or any other area.
If you're having trouble starting your car following a minor crash, it could be the result of a malfunctioning inertial switch which shuts off power to your vehicle's fuel pump. This is designed to shield your car from catching fire in the event of a collision however it can also cause damage to your engine if it gets tripped.
Another reason you might not be able to start your engine after an auto accident is that the collision may have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop working properly. In this instance you'll need the assistance of an expert mechanic to determine what caused the issue, and then fix it before you start your car again.
Even if your car has an engine that's in good shape, it's still important to run it every once in intervals to ensure it's properly lubricated and running. This can be accomplished by turning off the engine and letting it warm up for about 30 minutes or as long.
This is the time to check all the belts, hoses and cleaners in your vehicle to make sure they're functioning properly. This will boost your gas mileage and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
This is also a great way to ensure your tires are inflated properly. Properly filled tires will allow them to better grip the road and reduce the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.