What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can have devastating consequences. It could result in loss of income and benefits, massive out-of-pocket costs, and severe injuries which require extensive treatment. You can aid yourself and others by staying secure if you're a victim of a car crash or witness to one. Beware of Distractions If you are distracted while driving, it can be a major risk to your safety and the safety of others. Texting, eating, and grooming are among the most frequently-repeated distractions. Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or death to the people around them. This is because distracted driving can cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected problems right 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 has their own distinctive characteristics. Visual distractions are those that distract drivers' attention from the road, for example, using a GPS, looking at a billboard, or rubbernecking during an accident. This could be dangerous particularly when a driver is driving at highway speeds and is passing other vehicles or pedestrians. Manual distractions can also be dangerous, especially when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or cannot react quickly. Drinking while driving switching the radio station, or reaching for something in the back of the car can be very distracting. Cognitive distractions are a less visible but just as deadly category of distractions. These distractions can include calling, singing, or thinking about an emotionally charged situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness which can make it difficult for a driver stay focused on the road. Set good boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. This can be accomplished by living by example and setting rules that limit screen time. It's important to remember that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver and it's not only teens or new drivers. Even pets, older drivers and motorists who are sleepy can be distractions when driving. If you know someone who is prone to distracted driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eyes on the road and ways to avoid this happening. You can also suggest to your friend to turn off their phone and turn it on do-not-disturb mode while they are driving. Keep Your Distance Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in the front of you is one of the best actions you can take to ensure your vehicle's safety. This can prevent a collision and shield you and those around you from injury or death. There are many methods to ensure you're driving at the correct distance. One way is to use the 3-second rule. It's an easy calculation that will aid you in determining if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes around three seconds to react when another car stops abruptly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the distance it won't give you enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens. This is particularly the case for truck drivers, who require plenty space to stop safely at the traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis and large trucks occur due to drivers failing to follow this road rule which can cause serious injuries or even death for all involved. In addition to using the three-second rule, you may also determine your following distance mentally by finding a fixed object and counting how long it takes for you to get to the same point after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. This can be done by watching the car in advance as it passes an overhead sign, a tree or other roadside markers. Continue counting. Once you've decided the time it will take your vehicle to reach the spot after another car has passed, begin counting. Begin counting 1-1,000, 21,000 and then 3,001 until you've reached the gap of three seconds between you and the car ahead of you. If you can't reach three seconds in a row then gradually increase your following distance until you can. This could mean slowing down to avoid a crash however it's well worth the effort. The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. You can avoid these collisions and others by extending your following distance. Avoiding Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions comprise among the most frequent types of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account to nearly a third all accidents and cause around 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are more dangerous, rear-end collisions are still a significant cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions could also cause whiplash-like injuries to soft tissues, for example. These injuries can leave drivers with significant pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. They usually require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to heal from. The best way to avoid rear-end collisions is to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. This means that you must follow them at a safe pace and not be a tailgater. You increase the risk of rear-end collisions when driving too close. This is due to the fact that you won't have enough time to respond to dangers such as slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that motorists maintain a three-second minimum distance of following distance, and larger vehicles even more. When road or weather conditions are poor, rear-end collisions are more dangerous. If you're driving in extreme snow or rain, for example you must increase your following distance and exercise extra precautions. To avoid auto accident attorney sacramento -end collision, look at your rear-view mirror regularly depending on how congested the traffic is in front of you. This will allow you to discern if a motorist behind you has slowed down or applied the brakes. Another great habit to keep is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving parking lots. This helps the driver behind you see your car and can aid in stopping them from swerving out of lane to cause a collision with you. Keep children in the back of the vehicle when traveling with them. This will stop them from bouncing about the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracting while you are driving. It is an excellent idea to avoid using your phone while driving and avoid using it to distract yourself. Talking on the phone or texting may result in rear-end collisions. Maintaining Your Engine The engine in your car is one of the most crucial components for you as a motorist However, it can be frustrating. In the event of an accident you may notice that your car's engine will not start when you turn the key. This isn't a issue that's easy to diagnose and resolve, so it's advisable to bring your car in for a checkup immediately after the check engine light comes on. The lights will notify you that there's an issue with the battery, alternator, temperature or other areas of your car that require attention. If you're experiencing difficulty starting your car following a minor crash, it could be because of a malfunctioning inertial switch that cuts off power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is designed to protect your car from lighting on fire in the event of a collision however, it could also cause damage to the engine if it is damaged if it is tripped. Another reason why you may not be capable of starting your engine after an auto accident is that the collision could have caused your vehicle's transmission to cease functioning properly. In this scenario you'll require a professional in order to find out what caused the issue and then fix it. Even if you have an engine that's in good shape is still necessary to check it out once a while to make sure that it's lubricated properly and is working. This can be accomplished by turning the engine on slowly and let it warm for 30 minutes. When you do this, you're taking the chance to check all of your vehicle's belts, hoses air cleaners and other parts to make sure they're in good functioning order. This will improve your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly. It's also a great way to ensure that your tires have the correct pressure. When your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they grip the road better and decrease the chance of blowouts or other damage.
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