What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating consequences. It could result in loss of income, benefits, and significant out-of-pocket costs.
If you're the victim of an auto accident or who is watching one, there are numerous actions you can take to ensure your safety and aid others.
Avoiding Distractions
Distracted driving has a huge impact on both your safety as well as the safety of others. Eating, texting, or grooming are just a few of the most frequently-repeated distractions.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could result in serious injuries and death for those around them. Drivers who are distracted may ignore road signs and dangers or fail to notice unexpected issues.
Distractions can refer to anything that distracts a driver's attention from driving, causing them to lose control. They can be either visual as well as cognitive, manual or both and each type has its own distinct characteristics.
Visual distractions are those that distract drivers' eyes from the road, for example, using a GPS, looking at a billboard, or rubbernecking during an accident. This can be very risky especially when the driver is travelling at highway speeds or they are passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions are also dangerous, particularly when drivers aren't paying attention to the road or react quickly. Driving while eating can be very distracting as can switching the radio station or looking for something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions are a less obvious but equally dangerous category of distractions. They could include conversations on the phone, singing or thinking about an emotional situation. They could also be a sign of drowsiness, which could make it difficult for a driver to remain focused on the road.
The best way to avoid distractions while driving is to set good boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can do this by setting rules and living by example.
It's important to remember that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver and it's not only teens or new drivers. Even pets, older individuals and motorists who are sleepy could be distractions while driving.
You can also advise them to put their mobile phone on "do not disturb" mode and turn it off when they are driving. You can also encourage them to put their mobile phone on "do not distract" mode and turn off the phone when they are driving.
Staying Away
One of the most important things you can do to keep your car safe when driving is to keep an appropriate distance between yourself and any vehicle in front of you. This will prevent the possibility of a collision, and also protect your passengers and yourself from injury or even death.
There are a variety of ways to ensure that you're driving at the correct distance. You can use the 3-second calculation to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes around three seconds to react when another car brakes suddenly. If you are too close to the vehicle in front of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially true for truck drivers, who need ample space to safely brake when they are approaching a stop. Many accidents involving semis or large rigs are caused by drivers who fail to follow this rule of the road and can result in grave injuries or even deaths for everyone involved.
In addition to using the three-second rule, it is possible to also measure your following distance by finding an object fixed in the ground and calculating how long it takes for you to get to the same point after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. You can do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree or other roadside marker and observing the car in front of you drive by it.
Count again. Once you have determined how long it will take your vehicle to arrive at that location after another vehicle has passed, start counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 21,000 and then 3,001 until you have reached three seconds of gap between you and the car ahead of you.
If you can't reach three seconds in an uninterrupted row and you're not able to do that, gradually increase the distance you follow until you get there. It may require you to slow down to avoid a collision but the extra effort is worth it.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front. You can avoid collisions as well as others by increasing the distance you follow.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for about three-quarters of all crashes and cause an estimated 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.
Although front-end collisions can be more fatal, rear end collisions can result in serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions could also cause soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
These injuries can cause significant pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas. They typically require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to heal from.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means that you must follow behind them at a safe speed and not lag behind them.
You could increase the chance of rear-end collisions if you're driving too close. This is because you won't have enough time to respond to dangers such as slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum distance of following distance and larger vehicles more.
If auto accident attorney colorado springs or road conditions are poor rear-end collisions are more risky. If you are driving in heavy rain or snow for instance you must increase your following distance and exercise extra care.
Check your rear-view-mirror frequently to avoid a rear end collision. This will depend on the volume of the traffic is ahead of you. This will allow you to identify if the driver in front of you has stopped or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or to pull away from a lot. This can help the driver in front of you be aware of your vehicle and aid in stopping them from swerving out of their lane in order to cause a collision with you.
Always keep children in the back of the car when traveling with them. This will help prevent them from bouncing around the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving.
It's also a good idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking or texting on the phone can be a key contributing factor in rear-end collisions.
Maintaining Your Engine
The engine in your car is one of the most crucial components for you as a driver However, it can be a hassle. In the case of an accident, you may find that your car's engine will not start when you turn the key.
The problem is not easy to determine or fix So you must bring your vehicle to the mechanic as soon when the light turns on. The lights will alert you if there's a problem with the alternator, battery or temperature, or any other part of your vehicle that require attention.
If you have difficulties starting your vehicle following an accident, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts the fuel pump's power. This is designed to prevent your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of a crash however it can also cause damage to your engine if tripped.
Another reason why you may not be not able to start your car after an accident is that the crash could have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop working properly. In this instance, you will need to consult a mechanic in order to find out the cause of the issue and then 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 the engine and letting it warm for about 30 minutes or more.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to inspect all of your vehicle's belts, hoses, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they're in good operating condition. This will improve your gas mileage and keep your vehicle operating smoothly.
This is a great way to ensure that your tires are inflated properly. If your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they can be more stable on the road and reduce the chances of a tire blowout or other damage.