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 significant expenses out of pocket.
Whether you're the victim of an auto accident or who's watching one, there are several actions you can take to protect yourself and help others.
Beware of Distractions
If you're distracted when driving, it could cause a huge impact on your safety as well as the safety of others. Some of the most common distractions are eating, texting, and grooming.
Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or death to those who are around them. Drivers who are distracted can disregard road signs and hazards or miss out on unexpected dangers.
Distractions can refer to anything that distracts a driver's attention away from the road, causing them to lose control. They can be either visual or cognitive, and each comes with its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions are things that divert a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard or rubbernecking an accident. This could be very dangerous particularly when the driver is traveling at highway speeds, or when they are traveling by other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions are also risky, particularly when drivers aren't paying attention to the road or react quickly. Consuming food while driving switching the radio station or reaching for something in the backseat can be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by conversations on the phone and singing, as well as thinking about an emotional situation. They can also be signs of drowsiness, which can make it hard for drivers to stay focused on the road.
Set boundaries and practice attentive drive to keep your eyes off the road. This can be done by living by example and establishing rules that limit the time spent on screens.
It's important to keep in mind that distracted driving poses danger for all drivers, not just teens and drivers who are new. Older drivers, tired drivers and even pets can be potential distractions while driving.
If you have a loved one who is prone to distracted driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eye to the road and how to stop this from happening. You can also help your friend to shut off their phone and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode while they are driving.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in front of you is among of the most important things you can do to ensure your vehicle's safety. This will help avoid a collision and protect the people around you from harm or death.
There are several ways to ensure you're following the proper distance when driving. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule. It's a a simple calculation that can aid in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes three seconds for you to react when another car stops abruptly. If you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you, it could be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly true for truck drivers, who need ample space to safely brake when they are approaching the stop. Many accidents involving semis or large rigs occur because drivers fail to observe this rule of the road and can result in grave injuries or even deaths for everyone involved.
You can also calculate the distance required to follow a car by calculating the amount of time it takes to reach a particular location after the vehicle in the front has passed by it. You can do this by looking for an overhead road sign, a tree, or other roadside marker and watching the car in front of you pass it.
Continue counting. Once you have determined the time it will take you to reach that location after another vehicle has passed, start counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3-1,000 until get to a three-second gap between you and the vehicle in front.
If you're unable to complete three seconds in an uninterrupted row then gradually increase your following distance until you can. It may require a slowing down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front. You can avoid these collisions and other accidents by increasing your following distance.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst the most common types of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions are responsible for nearly a third all accidents and cause 2,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Although front-end collisions are far more fatal, rear-end collisions can be still a significant source of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also lead to a myriad of soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These accidents can cause drivers to suffer severe pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder and back areas. They often require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to heal from.
The best method to avoid a rear-end collision is to stay away from other vehicles. This means that you should be following them at a safe speed and not be a tailgater.
Being too fast can increase the chance of a rear-end crash because you will not have enough time to notice and react to dangers, like slower or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum distance to follow, and larger vehicles even more.
If the weather or road conditions are not ideal rear-end collisions can be more risky. If you're driving during heavy rain or snow for instance, you should increase the distance you follow.
Make sure to check your rear-view mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This depends on how busy the road is in front of you. This will allow you to determine if a car in front of you has slowed down or applied the brakes.
Another good practice is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of a parking lot. This helps the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and prevent them from swerving out of their lane in order to cause a collision with you.
Always ensure that your children are in the back of the vehicle while traveling with them. This will stop them from moving around the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
auto accident attorney colorado springs 's also a good idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Texting or talking on the phone texting may result in rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car might be one of the most important elements for you as a driver, but it could be also one of the most frustrating parts. If you get into an accident, the engine of your car might not begin after you turn the key or press START.
This isn't a issue that's simple to spot and resolve, so it's advisable to bring your car in for a checkup at the moment the check engine light comes on. The lights will be alerted when your car is experiencing an issue in the area of battery, temperature, alternator or in any other area.
If you're having trouble getting your car started after a minor accident, it could be because of a tripped inertial switch that cuts off power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is designed to prevent your car from catching fire in the event of a collision, but it can also cause damage to your engine if it gets activated.
You might not be able to start your car after an accident, because your vehicle's engine transmission isn't working properly. In this situation you'll have to seek the help of an expert mechanic to determine what caused the issue and then fix it before you can start your vehicle once more.
Even if your car is equipped with an engine that is in good condition, it's still important to run it every once in every so often to ensure it's properly lubricated and running. This can be accomplished by turning the engine on slowly and waiting for it to warm for 30 seconds.
It is a good idea to use this time to examine all belts, hoses and air cleaners in your vehicle to ensure they are working properly. This will boost your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
It's also a great method to make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Properly filled tires will allow them to better grip the road and lower the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.