10 Life Lessons That We Can Learn From Auto Accident Lawyers
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating consequences. It could result in loss of income, benefits and significant expenses out of pocket.
If you're a victim in an auto accident or a bystander who's watching one, there are numerous ways you can ensure your safety and assist others.
Avoid Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it can be a major risk to your safety as well as the safety of others. The most frequent distractions include eating, texting, and grooming.
Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or death to others who are around them. Drivers who are distracted can disregard road signs and hazards or miss unexpected complications.
Distractions can be anything that diverts a driver's attention from the road, causing them to lose control. They can be visual as well as cognitive, manual or both and each type has its own distinct characteristics.
Visual distractions refer to things that distract drivers from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard, or rubbernecking in a car accident. This could be extremely dangerous particularly if the driver is traveling at highway speeds, or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can be very harmful, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road ahead and fail to react quickly enough. Drinking while driving, changing the radio station and reaching for something in the backseat can be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions are a less visible but equally deadly type of distractions. They can be caused by using the phone or a song, or thinking about a difficult situation. They can also be signs of drowsiness and make it hard for a driver to remain focused on the road.
Set good boundaries and practice attentive driving to avoid distractions while driving. You can do this by establishing rules and leading by example.
It's important to remember that everyone is at risk of being a distracted driver and it's not just teenagers or drivers who are new. Even pets, older individuals and drowsy motorists can be distractions when driving.
If you know someone who is prone to distracted driving, make sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their eyes on the road, and how to prevent this from happening. You can also help them to put their mobile phone in "do not disturb" mode and then turn off the device when they're behind the wheel.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front of you is one of the most important ways to ensure your vehicle's safety. This will help avoid a collision and protect your passengers and yourself from injury or death.
There are many ways to ensure you're following the correct distance when driving. One way is to use the 3-second rule, which is a simple calculation that can help you determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that you require around 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 especially true of truck drivers, who need ample space to safely brake when they are approaching an end. Many accidents involving semis or large trucks occur due to drivers failing to observe this road rule and can result in serious injuries, or even death for everyone involved.
You can also calculate the distance you must follow a car by calculating the time it takes you to reach a fixed place after the car in the front has passed by it. You can do this by finding an overhead road sign, tree or other roadside marker and watching the vehicle ahead of you go by it.
Once you've determined how long it takes for your vehicle to arrive at the spot after the other driver has passed it, you can begin counting again. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3-1,000 until attain a gap of three seconds between you and the car ahead.
If you're not able get to three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowing down in order to avoid a collision but the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing the distance you follow and following the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these crashes and other collisions which could cause severe damage to your vehicle and the people surrounding you.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst most common types of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account for more than a third of all accidents and result in 2,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Although front-end collisions can be more fatal, rear end collisions can still cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also cause soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause drivers to suffer severe pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder and back areas. These injuries often require physical therapy, medical costs and lost wages in order to heal.
The best way to avoid a rear-end collision is to keep a distance from other vehicles. This means following them at the appropriate speed and never speeding up to them.
There is a higher risk of rear-end collisions when driving too close. This is due to the fact that you won't have enough time to react to potential hazards like slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds for following distances in passenger cars, and greater for larger vehicles.
If the weather or road conditions are hazardous rear-end collisions can be more dangerous. When driving in severe snow or rain, for example, you should increase your following distance and exercise extra care.
To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rear-view mirror frequently depending on how congested the traffic ahead of you. This will allow you to discern if a motorist behind you has slowed down or applied the brakes.
Another good habit to adopt is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or pulling out of a parking lot. This will assist the driver behind you to see your vehicle and prevent them from swerving into your vehicle to avoid hitting you.
Always ensure that your children are in the back of the vehicle when you are traveling with them. This will stop children from running around the car or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
It is also a great idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Talking or auto accident injury lawyers on your phone can be a significant cause of rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car is one of the most important parts for you as a driver However, it can be frustrating. If you're involved in an auto accident, the engine of your car might not start after you turn the key or press START.
This isn't a problem that's simple to spot and repair, so it's recommended to bring your car to a service center as soon as the check engine light comes on. The lights will notify you if there's a problem with the alternator, battery and temperature or other parts of your vehicle that require attention.
If you're having difficulties starting your vehicle following an accident of a minor nature it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that shuts off the power to the fuel pump. This is designed to protect your car from lighting on fire in the event of a crash however, it could also cause damage to the engine if it is activated.
Another reason why you may not be not able to start your car after an auto accident is that the collision may have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop functioning properly. In this situation, you will have to talk to a mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and then fix it.
Even if you have a healthy car, it is important to run the engine every periodically to ensure that it is properly lubricated. This can be done by gently turning on the engine and letting it warm for 30 minutes or so.
This is the time to examine all belts, hoses and cleaners in your vehicle to ensure they're operating properly. This will increase your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
This is also a great way to ensure that your tires are inflated properly. If your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they can be more stable on the road and reduce the chances of an accident involving a blowout of your tire or other damage.