What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can have devastating consequences. It could result in loss of income, benefits and significant out-of-pocket costs.
You can aid yourself and others by staying protected if you're the victim of a car crash or a witness.
Beware of Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it can cause a huge impact on your safety as well as that of others. Some of the most common distractions are eating, texting, and grooming.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to the people near them. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to ignore hazards and unexpected complications that are right in front of them, or to miss important road signs.
Distractions are anything that takes the driver's attention from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be physical or manual and each type is unique in its own way.
Visual distractions are things that divert a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or watching a signboard or even rubbernecking a car accident. This could be risky, especially when a driver is traveling at highway speeds and is passing pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can also be extremely harmful, particularly when drivers are not paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. Consuming food while driving changing the radio station, and reaching for something in the back of the car can all be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by calling or singing, or even thinking about a personal issue. They can also be indications of drowsiness, which can make it hard to keep a driver's attention on the road.
Set boundaries and practice attentive drive to be aware of distractions while driving. This can be accomplished by living by example and setting rules that limit screen time.
It's important to remember that distracted driving poses a risk for everyone, not just teens and drivers who are new. Older drivers, tired drivers and even pets could all be distractions for drivers.
If you have a friend or relative who is susceptible to distracted driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eye to the road and how to prevent this from happening. It is also a good idea to encourage them to put their cell phone in "do not disturb" mode and then turn off the phone when they are behind the wheel.
Beware of Your Distance
One of the most important things you can do to ensure your car is safe when driving is to keep an appropriate distance between yourself and any vehicle in front of you. This can help avoid a collision, and protect you and others who are around you from injury or death.
There are many methods to ensure you're traveling at the right distance. You can utilize the 3-second calculation to determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that you need about three seconds to react in the event that another vehicle suddenly stops. If you are too close to the car in front of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is especially true for truck drivers, who require ample space to safely brake when approaching the stop. This road safety rule is often not observed by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities.
In addition to using the three-second rule, it is possible to also determine your following distance by locating an object fixed in the ground and calculating how long it takes for you to arrive at the same spot after the vehicle in front of you crosses it. This can be done by watching the car advance as it passes an overhead sign, a tree or any other roadside markers.
Once you've figured out how long it takes for your vehicle to get there when the other vehicle passes it, you can begin counting again. auto accident attorney brooklyn -1,000; 2-1,000; and then 3,001 until you have reached three seconds of gap between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
If you're unable reach three seconds in an uninterrupted row and you're not able to do that, gradually increase the distance you're following until you do. It might require you to slow down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. By increasing the distance you follow and using the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these accidents and other collisions that could cause serious damage to your car and the people surrounding you.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions are responsible for more than a third of all accidents and cause 2,000 deaths annually in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more dangerous, rear-end collisions are still a major cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These accidents can leave drivers with significant pain and discomfort in the back, shoulder and neck areas. They often require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to heal from.
The best method to avoid rear-end collisions is to stay away from other vehicles. This means that you should follow them at a reasonable speed and not to tailgate them.
Driving too fast could increase your risk of a rear-end collision since you will not have enough time to be able to recognize and react to hazards, like slow or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance for passenger cars, and greater for larger vehicles.
Rear-end collisions can be especially risky when the road or weather conditions are threatening. When driving through heavy rain or snow for instance you should extend the distance you follow and take extra care.
Check your rear-view-mirror frequently to avoid a rear end collision. This will depend on how full the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you determine whether the car in front of you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Use your turn signals to change lanes or get out of a lot. This lets the driver behind you see your car and can help prevent them from swerving out of lane to cause a collision with you.
Always ensure that children are in the back of the car when you are traveling with them. This will stop them from moving around the vehicle, or getting lost and distracted while driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Talking or texting on the phone can be a significant contributor to rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine of your car could be one of the most important components to you as a driver, but it could be also be one of the most frustrating components. In the event of an accident, you may discover that your car's engine doesn't start when you turn the key.
The issue is difficult to fix or diagnose Therefore, you should bring your car in as soon as the light is on. The lights will let you know that there's an issue with the battery, alternator or temperature, or any other part of your car that need attention.
If you have difficulty starting your car after an accident of a minor nature, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts power to the fuel pump. This is intended to safeguard your vehicle from catching on fire in the event of a collision however, it could also cause damage to the engine if it is activated.
You may not be able start your car after an accident because your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this instance you'll have to seek the assistance of an expert mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and correct it before you are able to start your car once more.
Even if you have an excellent car it is essential to run the engine periodically to ensure it's properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by turning the engine on gently and letting it warm for 30 minutes.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners, and other components to make sure they're in good functioning order. This will increase your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
It's also a great method to ensure your tires have the correct pressure. When your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they can grip the road better and decrease the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.