15 Things You've Never Known About Auto Accident Lawyers
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can have devastating effects. It could result in loss of income and benefits, large out-of-pocket expenses, and serious injuries which require extensive treatment.
You can assist yourself and others by remaining protected if you're the victim of a car accident or witness to one.
Avoid distractions
Distracted driving can have a significant impact on both your safety as well as that of others. Some of the most common distractions are texting, eating and grooming.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or death to the people near them. This is because distracted driving may cause drivers to overlook dangers and unexpected issues right in front of them, or to overlook important road warning signs.
Distractions refer to anything that diverts the driver's attention 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 distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions refer to 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 particularly when a driver is traveling at highway speeds and is passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can also be dangerous, particularly if drivers do not pay attention to the road, or do not react quickly. Drinking while driving changing the radio station, or reaching for something in the backseat can be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions are not as obvious but equally deadly category of distractions. They could include using the phone or a song, or thinking about a personal issue. They could also be indicators of drowsiness which can make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road.
The best way to stay clear of distracting behaviors while driving is to set good boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can accomplish this by setting rules and living by example.
It is important to keep in mind that driving distracted is danger for all drivers, not just teens and new drivers. Even pets, older drivers and drivers who are tired could be distractions while driving.
You can also advise them to put their phone on "do not disturb" mode and switch it off when they are behind the wheel. You can also help them to put their mobile phone on "do not disturb" mode and turn off when they're driving.
Staying Away
Maintaining an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front of you is one of the most important things you can do for your car's safety. This will help avoid a collision and shield yourself and others around you from harm or death.
There are numerous ways to make sure you're driving at the right distance. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule, which is a an easy calculation that will aid you in determining if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you need approximately three seconds to react in the event that another vehicle suddenly stops. If you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly true for truck drivers who require plenty space to stop safely when they approach a traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis and large trucks occur due to drivers failing to observe this rule of the road and could result in serious injuries or even fatalities for everyone involved.
You can also determine the distance required to follow a car by calculating the time it takes to get to a specific point after the vehicle at the front has passed it. This can be done by watching the car in advance pass an overhead sign, a tree or other roadside markers.
Count again. Once you've decided how long it will take for your car to reach that location after another car has passed, start counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3-1,000 until you attain a gap of three seconds between you and the car ahead.
If you're not able reach three seconds, you can increase your following distance gradually until you get there. This could mean slowed down to avoid a collision, but the effort worth it.
The most frequent rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front of them. You can avoid these collisions and others by extending your distance of following.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions rank as the most frequent auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions are responsible for nearly a third all accidents and cause the death of 2,000 people each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more hazardous, rear-end collisions can cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause drivers to suffer severe discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. They typically 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 you should follow behind them at a safe speed and not to tailgate them.
Driving lawyer for auto accidents can increase the chance of a rear-end collision because you may not have enough time to react to dangers, such as slower or stopped traffic in ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passenger cars maintain a three-second minimum following distance, and larger vehicles even more.
When road or weather conditions are not ideal rear-end collisions can be more risky. If you're driving in heavy snow or rain for instance, you should increase your following distance.
To avoid a rear-end collision, make sure you check your rear-view mirror often, depending on how congested the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you identify if the driver in front of you has reduced speed or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or pull out of a lot. This will enable drivers behind you see your vehicle and stop them from turning into their lane in order to hit you.
Always ensure that children are in the back of the vehicle when you are traveling with them. This will prevent children from bouncing around in the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while you are driving.
It is recommended to avoid using your phone when driving and not use it to distract you. Talking or texting on your phone can be a key contributing factor in rear-end collisions.
Making sure your engine is running
The engine of your vehicle could be among the most important parts for you as a driver, but it could be also one of the most frustrating components. In the event of an accident you may find that your car's engine won't start when you turn the key.
This isn't a problem that's simple to spot and resolve, so it's advisable to take your vehicle for a routine check-up at the moment the check engine light turns on. The lights will alert you if there's a problem with the alternator, battery and temperature, as well as other parts of your vehicle that require attention.
If you're having trouble starting your car after an accident that was minor, it could be because of a malfunctioning inertial switch that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to prevent your car from catching fire in the event of a collision, but can also damage your engine if tripped.
Another reason you might not be able to start your engine following an accident is that the crash may have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop functioning properly. In this case you'll have to seek out a mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and then fix it.
Even if your car has an engine that is in good condition is still necessary to run it every once in the course of time to ensure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by turning the engine on gently and let it warm for 30 minutes.
When you do this, you're gaining the chance to check all of your vehicle's belts, hoses, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they are in good working order. This will boost your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is operating smoothly.
This is also a great method to ensure that your tires are inflated properly. When your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and reduce the chances of blowouts or other damage.