What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can have devastating consequences. It can cause loss of income and benefits, large cost out of pocket, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment.
If you're the victim of an auto accident or who is witnessing one, there are numerous things you can do to ensure your safety and aid others.
Beware of Distractions
Distracted driving can have a serious impact on your safety as well as 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 those in their vicinity. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected issues in front of them or miss important road signs.
Distractions are any activity that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be either visual or cognitive, and each has its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions are those that take a driver's eyes off the road, such as using a GPS or looking at a billboard or rubbernecking into an accident. This could be dangerous, especially when a driver is driving at highway speeds and is passing pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can also be dangerous, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. While driving, eating or changing the radio station, or reaching for something in the back of the car can be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions are a lesser-known but just as deadly category of distractions. They can involve calling or singing, or pondering an emotional situation. They can also be signs of drowsiness and make it hard for drivers to stay focused on the road.
The best way to avoid distracting driving habits is to set good boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be done by modeling behavior and setting rules to limit screen time.
It's important to remember that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver, and it's not just teens or drivers who are just starting out. Older people, drowsy drivers and even pets could all be distractions for drivers.
If you know someone who is susceptible to distraction while driving, be sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their focus on the road and ways to stop this from happening. You can also encourage your friend to shut off their mobile and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode while they drive.
Keeping Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in front of you is one of the best actions you can take to ensure your car's safety. This can prevent a collision and shield yourself and others around you from injury or even death.
There are several ways to make sure you're following the proper distance when driving. You can apply the 3-second formula to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you'll need about three seconds to react if another vehicle brakes suddenly. If you are too close to the car in front of you, it could be difficult to stop safely.
This is particularly relevant for truck drivers who require plenty of room to stop safely before approaching the traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis as well as large trucks occur due to drivers failing to follow this road rule which can cause serious injuries or even fatalities for everyone involved.
In addition to the three-second rule you can also measure your following distance by locating a fixed object and counting how long it takes for you to arrive at the same spot after the vehicle ahead of you passes it. This can be accomplished by watching the car advance as it passes an overhead sign, a tree or any other roadside markers.
Continue counting. Once you have determined how long it will take your vehicle to arrive at that location after another driver has passed, start counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 31,000 until you have a gap of three seconds between you and the car ahead.
If you're unable reach three seconds in one row then gradually increase your following distance until you get there. This may mean slowed down to avoid a crash, but it's worth the extra effort.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front of them. You can avoid these collisions by extending your distance of following.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that they represent nearly one third of all crashes and result in about 2,000 deaths every year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more risky, rear-end collisions are still a significant source 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 discomfort in the neck, back and shoulder regions. They may require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to heal from.
Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means pursuing them at a safe speed and not slowing down.
Being too fast can increase the chance of a rear-end collision because you won't have enough time to see and respond to hazards, like slow or stopped traffic the area in 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 dangerous when weather or road conditions are hazardous. If you are driving in heavy snow or rain for example, increase the distance you follow.
To avoid a rear-end collision, look at your rear-view mirror often depending on how congested the traffic ahead of you. This will allow you to determine whether the driver in front of you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or to pull away from a lot. This will help the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and help prevent them from swerving off the lane and 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 running around the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracting while you are driving.
It is also a good idea to keep your phone away when driving and avoid using it as a distraction. Talking or texting on your phone can be a key contributor 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 can be also be one of the most frustrating components. If you get into an accident, the engine of your car might not begin after you turn the key or press START.
auto accident lawyer los angeles isn't a problem that's simple to spot and solve, so it's best to take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as the check engine light comes on. The lights will alert you when there's a problem with the alternator, battery, temperature or other areas of your car that require attention.
If you are having difficulty starting your car after an accident of a minor nature, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts the power to the fuel pump. This switch is intended to prevent your car from catching fire in the event of a collision however, it could also cause damage to the engine if it is tripped.
Another reason why you may not be in a position to start your engine following an accident is that the crash could have caused your vehicle's transmission to cease functioning properly. In this instance you'll have to talk to a mechanic in order to find out what caused the problem and fix it.
Even if your car is equipped with an engine that's healthy, it's still important to run it every once in a while to make sure it's lubricated and working properly. This can be accomplished by turning off the engine and letting it warm up for 30 minutes or so.
When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners and other components to ensure that they are in good operating condition. This will improve your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
This is a great way to ensure that your tires are properly inflated. If your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they be more stable on the road and decrease the chance of a tire blowout or other damage.