What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating consequences. It can lead to loss of income, benefits and significant out-of-pocket costs.
Whether you’re the victim of an michigan auto accident attorneys accident or who is watching one, there are a variety of ways to keep yourself safe and help others.
Beware of Distractions
Distracted driving can have a serious impact on your safety and that of other drivers. Some of the most common distractions are texting, eating and grooming.
If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it may cause serious injuries and even death for the people who are around them. Drivers who are distracted may ignore road signs and hazards or overlook unexpected problems.
Distractions are anything that takes the attention of a driver away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be visual as well as cognitive, manual or both and each type has its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions refer to things that distract a driver’s attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard, or even rubbernecking a car accident. This could be dangerous particularly when a driver is traveling at highway speeds while passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can also be very harmful, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. Eating while driving can be very distracting and can be a distraction, as could changing the radio station or looking for something behind the vehicle.
Cognitive distractions can be just as harmful as other distractions. These distractions include conversations on a cell phone or singing, or pondering an emotional situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness and make it hard for a driver stay focused on the road.
Set up good boundaries and practice attentive drive to avoid distractions while driving. You can do this by establishing rules and following by example.
It’s important to remember that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver and it’s certainly not just teens or drivers who are new. Even pets, elderly people and motorists who are sleepy could be distractions while driving.
If you know someone who is prone to distraction while driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road and how to stop this from happening. You can also encourage your friend to turn off their phone and set it on “do-not-disturb” mode when they are driving.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in the front of you is one of the best actions you can take to ensure your car’s safety. This can prevent a collision, and protect yourself and others near you from injury and death.
There are many methods to ensure that you’re keeping the proper distance when driving. One method is to apply the 3-second rule. It’s an easy calculation that can aid you in determining if you’re following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes around three seconds for you to react when a car stops abruptly. If you are too close to the car ahead of you, it could be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly true for truck drivers, who need plenty of space to brake safely when approaching a stop. This rule of the road is often ignored by drivers, which can result in serious injuries, and sometimes fatalities.
You can also calculate the distance required to follow a vehicle by counting the amount of time you need to reach a fixed place after the car in the front has passed by it. You can do this by locating an overhead road sign, a tree, or other roadside marker and observing the car in front of you drive by it.
Count again. Once you have determined the time it will take your vehicle to reach that location after a car has passed, start counting. Count 1-1,000; 2-1,000; and then 3-1,000 until you’ve reached three seconds of gap between you and the car ahead of you.
If you’re unable to complete three seconds in one row then gradually increase the distance you follow until you can. This may involve slowing down to avoid collision but it’s definitely worth the effort.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and following the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these collisions as well as other collisions that could cause serious damage to your car and the people near you.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common auto accident attorney bakersfield (www.alonegocio.net.br official blog) accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions account for nearly a third all accidents and result in 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are less fatal, rear-end collisions can be still a significant cause for injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can lead to a variety of soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe discomfort in the neck, back 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 you should follow behind the vehicles at a safe speed and not to tailgate them.
Driving too fast could increase the chance of a rear-end crash because you will not have enough time to notice and react to potential hazards, such as slow or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds for following distances in passenger cars, and more for larger vehicles.
Rear-end collisions can be extremely risky when weather or road conditions are challenging. If you’re driving through heavy rain or snow for instance, increase the distance you follow.
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 a driver behind you has stopped or applied the brakes.
Another good practice is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or taking a car out of parking lots. This will allow the driver in front of you see your vehicle and prevent them from turning into their vehicle to avoid hitting you.
If you’re in a car with children, ensure that you keep them in the back seat of the vehicle. This will stop them from bouncing about the vehicle, or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving.
It is recommended to avoid using your phone when driving and not use it to distract you. Disturbing conversations on the phone or texting can lead to rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car could be among the most important elements for you as a driver, but it could be also one of the most difficult parts. In the event of an accident, you might find that your car’s engine won’t start when you turn the key.
The issue is difficult to identify or fix Therefore, you should bring your car in as soon when the light turns on. The lights will illuminate when your car is experiencing issues in the areas of battery temperature, temperature alternator, or any other part of the.
If you have difficulties starting your vehicle following a minor accident it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts the fuel pump’s power. This switch is intended to keep your car from burning in the case of a collision, but can also damage your engine when it’s tripped.
Another reason why you may not be able to start your engine after an accident is that the collision could have caused your vehicle’s transmission to stop working properly. In this instance you’ll have to seek the help of an expert mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and then fix it before you can start your car again.
Even if your car has an engine that is in good condition but it’s still essential to run it once in every so often to ensure it’s lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by turning the engine on gently and allow it to warm for 30 seconds.
When you do this, you’re taking an opportunity to inspect all 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 also a great method to ensure your tires are inflated properly. When your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they be more stable on the road and decrease the risk of an accident involving a blowout of your tire or other damage.
