What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can have devastating effects. It can result in the loss of income and benefits, large out-of-pocket costs, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment. If you're the victim of an auto accident or who's watching one, there are numerous actions you can take to keep yourself safe and help others. Beware of Distractions If you're distracted when driving, it can be a major risk to your safety as well as that of others. Some of the most common distractions are eating, texting and grooming. Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or even death to those who are around them. Drivers who are distracted might disregard road signs and hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues. 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 either visual, manual or cognitive and each type has its own distinctive characteristics. Visual distractions can take a driver's eyes off the road, such as using a GPS, looking at a billboard, or rubbernecking during an accident. This can be very dangerous particularly if the driver is traveling at highway speeds or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions can be dangerous, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road ahead and fail to react quickly enough. Food while driving can be a major distraction or even changing the radio station, or reaching to something behind the car. Cognitive distractions are a lesser-known but equally dangerous category of distractions. They could be a result of talking on the phone, singing or thinking about an emotional situation. They can also be signs of drowsiness that can make it hard for a driver stay focused on the road. Set boundaries and practice attentive drive to be aware of distractions while driving. You can accomplish this by setting guidelines and modeling. It's important to keep in mind that distracted driving poses a risk for everyone not just teenagers and drivers who are new. Older people, drivers who are drowsy and even pets can all be potential distractions while driving. If you know someone who is susceptible to distraction while driving, make sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their eyes on the road and ways to stop this from happening. You can also help them to put their cell phone on do not disturb mode and then turn off the device when they're driving. Keep Your Distance One of the most important actions you can take to ensure the safety of your vehicle when driving is to keep a safe distance between you and any vehicle in front of you. This can help avoid a collision, and ensure that you are protected and the people in the vicinity from injury and death. There are a variety of ways you can ensure that you're traveling at the right distance. You can make use of the 3-second calculation to determine if you are following too closely. The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes around three seconds to react when a vehicle stops suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the direction of you and you're not close enough, you won't have enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens. This is especially the case for truck drivers, who require plenty of space to stop safely when they approach a traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis or large rigs occur because drivers fail to follow this rule of the road which can cause serious injuries, or even death for all involved. You can also calculate the distance required to follow a vehicle by counting the amount of time you need to reach a fixed point after the vehicle in the front has passed it. This can be accomplished by watching the car advance of an overhead sign, tree or other roadside markers. Repeat the count. Once you've decided how long it will take your car to reach the spot after another car has passed, start counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3,001, until you reach three seconds of gap between you and the car ahead of you. If you're not able achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This may mean slowed down to avoid an accident, but it's worth the effort. The most frequent rear-end collisions happen when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front of them. You can avoid these collisions as well as others by increasing the distance you follow. Avoiding Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions comprise among the most common types of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions are responsible for nearly a third all accidents and cause around 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions can be more hazardous, rear-end collisions can cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions could also cause soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash. These injuries could cause drivers to be afflicted with severe discomfort and pain in the back, shoulder and neck areas. These injuries typically require physical therapy, medical costs and lost wages in order to heal. The best method to avoid rear-end collisions is to stay away from other vehicles. This means that you must be following the vehicles at a safe speed and not be a tailgater. Being too fast can increase your risk of a rear-end crash because you may not have enough time to see and respond to potential hazards, such as slower or stopped traffic in front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds of follow-through for passenger cars, and even greater for larger vehicles. If the weather or road conditions are poor rear-end collisions can be more dangerous. If you are driving in heavy snow or rain for example, increase your following distance. To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rear-view mirror frequently 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 good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving a parking lot. This will allow drivers behind you be aware of your vehicle and prevent them from swerving in their lane in order to hit you. If you're travelling in a vehicle with children, you must ensure that you keep them in the back seat of the vehicle. This will help prevent them from bouncing around the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while you are driving. It's also a good idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking or texting on the phone can be a significant contributor to rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your car is among the most vital components for you as a driver However, it can be frustrating. If you're involved in an accident, your vehicle's engine might not start until you turn the key or press START. The issue is difficult to fix or diagnose Therefore, you should bring your vehicle in as soon as the light comes 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 experiencing difficulty starting your car following an accident that was minor it could be the result of a tripped inertial control that shuts off power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This is designed to shield your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of a crash, but it can also cause damage to your engine if tripped. Another reason why you may not be able to start your engine following an accident is that the crash could have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop working properly. In this situation you'll have to seek the assistance of a mechanic to figure out what caused the issue, and then fix it before you are able to start your car again. Even if your vehicle has an engine that is in good condition but it's still essential to check it out once intervals to ensure that it's lubricated properly and is working. This can be done by turning the engine on gently and waiting for it to warm for 30 minutes. When you do this, you're taking the opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's belts, hoses air cleaners and other parts to ensure they are in good working order. This will improve your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is operating smoothly. This is also a great method to ensure your tires are properly inflated. Properly filled auto accident lawyers chicago will allow them to take on the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a blowout or other damage.
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