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What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating effects. It can lead to 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 several actions you can take to ensure your safety and aid others.
Avoiding Distractions
Distracted driving can have a significant impact on both your safety and the safety of other drivers. Some of the most common distractions include eating, texting and grooming.
Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or death to others near them. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to overlook dangers and unexpected issues right in front of them, or to ignore 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 can be both visual and cognitive, and each has distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions are things that distract a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard, or rubbernecking an accident. This could be extremely dangerous particularly when the driver is traveling at a high speed or when they are traveling by other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can be harmful, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. Driving while eating can be very distracting and can be a distraction, as could changing the radio station or reaching for something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can include conversations on the phone or a song, or thinking about a personal issue. They could also be signs of drowsiness, which can make it difficult for a driver to focus on the road.
Set good boundaries and practice attentive driving to be aware of distractions while driving. You can do this by establishing rules and living by example.
It is important to remember that distracted driving poses danger for all drivers, not just teens and new drivers. Even pets, older people and motorists who are sleepy are all distractions while driving.
You can also encourage them to put their mobile phone on "do not disturb" mode and turn it off while they are behind the wheel. You can also advise them to put their mobile phone in "do not distract" mode and then turn off the phone when they are driving.
Beware of Your Distance
One of the most important actions you can take to ensure the safety of your vehicle while driving is to maintain a safe distance between you and any vehicle ahead of you. This can help prevent an accident and protect the people around you from injury or even death.
There are a variety of ways to make sure you're driving at the correct distance. One method is to apply the 3-second rule. It's an easy calculation that will aid in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that it takes around three seconds to respond if another vehicle brakes suddenly. If you are too close to the car ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially applicable to truck drivers who require plenty of room to safely stop when approaching the traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis as well as large rigs happen because drivers fail to observe this road rule which can cause serious injuries or even death for everyone involved.
You can also estimate the distance you have to follow a car by calculating the time it takes you to reach a certain point after the vehicle in the front has passed by it. auto accident attorney san diego can do this by looking for an overhead road sign, tree, or any other roadside marker, and watching the car in front of you pass it.
Once you've figured out how long it takes your car to reach the spot when the other vehicle passes it, start counting again. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 31,000 until you have a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead.
If you're unable to achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. It could require slowing down to avoid an accident but it's worth the extra effort.
The most frequent rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. You can avoid these collisions by extending your distance of following.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions comprise among the most frequent types of car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that they constitute more than three-quarters of all crashes that result in around 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more risky, rear-end collisions are still a major cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can lead to a variety of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe pain in the neck, back and shoulder areas. These injuries are often accompanied by physical therapy, medical costs and lost wages to heal.
The best method to avoid rear-end collisions is to stay away from other vehicles. This means you must be following them at a reasonable speed and not lag behind them.
Driving too fast could increase the risk of a rear-end collision since you may not have enough time to notice and react to hazards, like slower or stopped traffic ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends that drivers maintain a three-second minimum distance to follow and larger vehicles more.
When the weather or road conditions are not ideal rear-end collisions are more dangerous. If you are driving in heavy snow or rain for instance, increase your distance to follow.
To avoid a rear-end collision, make sure you check your rear-view mirror often depending on how congested the traffic ahead of you. This will allow you to determine if a driver behind you has stopped or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or pull out of a lot. This lets the driver behind you understand your vehicle and assist them in avoiding a swerve out of lane to cause a collision with you.
If you're traveling in a car with children, you must ensure that you keep them in the back of the vehicle. This will prevent them from moving around the vehicle, or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Disturbing conversations on the phone or texting can cause rear-end collisions.
Making sure your engine is running
The engine in your vehicle could be one of the most crucial components for you as a driver, however it could also be among the most frustrating parts. In the case of an accident, you might find that your car's engine doesn't start when you turn the key.
The problem is not easy to identify or fix therefore, you should take your car in as soon as the light is on. The lights will indicate when your car is experiencing problems in the areas of battery, temperature, alternator, or any other aspect.
If you have difficulties starting your vehicle following an accident it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts power to the fuel pump. This is intended to safeguard your car from catching fire in the event of a collision, but it can also cause damage to your engine if it gets tripped.
Another reason you might not be capable of starting your engine following an accident is that the collision could have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop functioning properly. In this case you'll have to seek the help of an expert mechanic to pinpoint the cause of the issue and correct it before you can start your vehicle again.
Even if you have a well-maintained car it is essential to run the engine now and then to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by turning off the engine and letting it warm for about 30 seconds or so.
When you do this, you're gaining the chance to check all of your vehicle's belts, hoses air cleaners and other components to make sure they're in good working order. This will increase your fuel mileage and keep your vehicle operating smoothly.
It's also a great method to ensure that your tires have the correct pressure. Properly inflated tires will enable them to take on the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a blowout, or any other damage.
