The People Closest To Auto Accident Lawyers Have Big Secrets To Share
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can be a devastation. It could result in loss of income, benefits and substantial out-of pocket costs. If you're a victim in an auto accident or a bystander who's witnessing one, there are numerous actions you can take to ensure your safety and assist others. Beware of Distractions Distracted driving can have a major impact on both your safety as well as the safety of others. Texting, eating, and grooming are some of the most frequently-repeated distractions. Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to others who are around them. This is due to distracted driving that can cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected complications that are in front of them or to miss important road warning signs. Distractions refer to anything that diverts drivers' attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each comes with its own unique characteristics. Visual distractions are those that take a driver's eyes off the road, such as using a GPS or the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. This can be very dangerous, especially when the driver is travelling at highway speeds or they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions can also be harmful, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. Food while driving can be very distracting and can be a distraction, as could changing the radio station, or reaching for something in the back of the car. Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They can include talking on the phone and singing, as well as thinking about a difficult situation. These are also signs of drowsiness and make it hard to keep a driver's attention on the road. The best way to avoid distractions while driving is to set good boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be accomplished by modeling behavior and establishing rules that limit the amount of time you spend on your screen. It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk for being distracted by a driver, and it's certainly not just teens or drivers who are just starting out. Even pets, elderly people and motorists who are sleepy are all distractions while driving. If you have a friend or relative who is susceptible to distraction while driving, be sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road and how to stop this from happening. You can also encourage them to put their mobile phone in “do not disturb” mode and turn off the device when they're driving. Staying Away Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front of you is one of the best things you can do for your vehicle's safety. This can prevent a collision and shield the people around you from injury or even death. There are several ways to make sure you're following the correct distance when driving. One way is to use the 3-second rule, which is an easy calculation that will aid in determining if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on the fact that you require around three seconds to respond when a vehicle suddenly brakes. If you're too close to the vehicle in the distance it won't give you enough time to stop safely before a collision occurs. This is particularly true of truck drivers, who require plenty of space to safely brake when they are approaching an end. This rule of the road is often ignored by drivers, which can result in serious injuries, and sometimes deaths. In addition to using the three-second rule, you can also determine your following distance mentally by locating a fixed object and counting how long it takes you to get to the same location after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. You can do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree or other roadside marker and then watching the car in front of you pass it. Once you've established how long it takes your car to get there after the other car passes it, continue counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3-1,000 until get to a three-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead. If you're unable reach three seconds in a row, gradually increase your distance to follow until you get there. It may require you to slow down to avoid a collision, but the effort worth it. The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front. You can avoid these collisions as well as others by extending your distance of following. Avoiding Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that they represent nearly a third of all crashes and result in about 2,000 deaths every year in the United States. Although front-end collisions can be more dangerous, rear-end collisions can still cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can lead to a myriad of soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash. These injuries can cause severe discomfort in the neck, back and shoulder areas. They often require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to heal from. The best way to avoid a rear-end collision is to stay away from other vehicles. This means pursuing them at an appropriate speed, and not following them. You can increase your risk of rear-end collisions when driving too close. This is because you don't have enough time to react to dangers like slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds of follow-through for passenger cars, and greater for larger vehicles. When the weather or road conditions are not ideal, rear-end collisions are more dangerous. If you're driving through snow or heavy rain, for instance, you should increase your distance to follow. To avoid a rear-end collision, look at your rear-view mirror frequently depending on how congested the traffic is in front of you. Accident Injury Lawyers will let you know if the driver behind you is slowing down or applying the brakes. Use your turn signals to switch lanes or pull away from a lot. This will enable drivers behind you see your vehicle and stop them from turning into their path to hit you. Always keep children in the back of the vehicle when you travel with them. This will keep children from bouncing around in the vehicle or becoming confused and distracted while driving. It is recommended to keep your phone off the road when driving and refrain from using it to distract you. Talking or texting on the phone can be a key contributing factor in rear-end collisions. Making sure your engine is running The engine of your car may be one of the most important elements for you as a driver, however it could be also one of the most frustrating components. In the case of an accident, you might find that your car's engine doesn't start when you turn the key. The issue isn't easy to identify or fix, so you should take your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as the light is on. The lights will inform you if there's a problem with the alternator, battery or temperature, or any other part of your vehicle that require attention. If you have trouble starting your vehicle after an accident it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts off power to the fuel pump. This is designed to shield your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of a crash however it can also cause damage to your engine if it gets tripped. You might not be able to start your car after an accident because your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this scenario you'll have to seek the assistance of an expert mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and then fix it before you can start your car once more. Even if you have an engine that is in good condition, it is important to run the engine periodically to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by switching the engine on with a gentle touch and let it warm for 30 minutes. When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they're in good working order. This will improve your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly. This is also a great technique to ensure your tires are inflated properly. Properly inflated tires will enable them to be more effective on the road and reduce the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.