Ten Auto Accident Lawyers That Will Actually Improve Your Life
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car crash can have devastating consequences. It can result in a loss of income, benefits and substantial out-of pocket costs.
If you're the victim of an auto accident or a bystander who's watching one, there are several actions you can take to ensure your safety and assist others.
Beware of Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it could have a dramatic impact on your safety and the safety of others. Texting, eating, and grooming are just a few of the most common distractions.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or death to the people who are around them. This is due to distracted driving that can cause drivers to overlook dangers and unexpected problems in front of them or to ignore important road warning signs.
Distractions are anything 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 comes with its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions can take a driver's eyes off the road, for example, using a GPS or looking at the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. This could be very dangerous particularly if the driver is driving at a high speed or when they are passing other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can also be risky, particularly when drivers aren't paying attention to the road or fail to react quickly. Consuming food while driving or changing the radio station and reaching for something in the backseat can be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be just as harmful as other distractions. brooklyn auto accident attorney can include conversations on the phone, singing or thinking about an emotional situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness and make it hard for a driver stay focused on the road.
Set boundaries and practice an attentive drive to avoid distractions while driving. You can do this by establishing guidelines and modeling.
It is important to remember that driving distracted poses danger for everyone not just teenagers and drivers who are new. Older drivers, tired drivers and even pets can all be potential distractions while driving.
If you know someone who is prone to distracted driving, make sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road and how to prevent this from happening. You can also encourage them to put their cell phone in "do not disturb" mode and turn off when they're behind the wheel.
Staying Away
One of the most important actions you can take to ensure the safety of your vehicle while driving is to maintain a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This can prevent the possibility of a collision, and also protect the people around you from harm or death.
There are many ways to ensure that you're traveling at the right distance. You can make use of the 3-second calculation to determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes three seconds for you to react when a car stops suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the front of you, you won't have enough time to stop in a safe manner before a collision occurs.
This is particularly true for truck drivers, who require plenty of space to safely brake as they approach a stop. Many accidents involving semis and big rigs are caused by drivers who fail to observe this road rule which can cause serious injuries or even death for all involved.
In addition to using the three-second rule you can also measure your following distance mentally by locating an object fixed in the ground and calculating how long it takes you to arrive at the same place after the car in front of you has passed it. This can be done by watching the car in the direction of an overhead sign, a tree or any other roadside markers.
Once you've established how long it takes for your car to reach the spot when the other vehicle passes it, start counting again. Count 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 3-1,000 until have a gap of three seconds between you and the car ahead.
If you're unable get to three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you get there. This may mean slowed down to avoid an accident however it's well worth the extra effort.
The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and utilizing the 3-second rule, you can avoid these crashes and other collisions which could cause serious damage to your vehicle and the people in the vicinity.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions account for almost a third of all accidents and cause the death of 2,000 people each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are more risky, rear-end collisions are still a major cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also lead to a variety of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe pain in the neck, back and shoulder areas. They may require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to recover from.
The best way to avoid a rear-end collision is to stay away from other vehicles. This means following them at the appropriate speed and never following them.
If you drive too close, it can increase your risk of a rear-end crash because you may not have enough time to react to dangers, like slow or stopped traffic front of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passengers maintain a three second minimum following distance, and larger vehicles even more.
Rear-end collisions are particularly dangerous when weather or road conditions are hazardous. If you're driving in heavy rain or snow for instance, you should increase the distance you follow.
Check your rear-view-mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on the volume of the road ahead of you. This will help you determine whether the driver in front of you is slowing down or applying the brakes.
Another good practice is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or pulling out of parking lots. This will help the driver behind you to see your vehicle and prevent them from swerving into their direction to hit you.
Always keep children in the back of the vehicle while traveling with them. This will stop them from bouncing about the vehicle, or getting lost and distracting while you are driving.
It is also a good idea to not use your phone while you are driving and not use it to distract you. Texting or talking on the phone could be a major contributing factor in rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine of your car may be among the most important parts for you as a driver, however it could also be one of the most difficult parts. If you're involved in an accident, the engine of your car might not start until you turn the key or press START.
The issue isn't easy to determine or fix therefore, you should take your car in as soon when the light turns on. The lights will be alerted you if your vehicle is experiencing problems in the areas of temperature, battery, alternator, or any other aspect.
If you're experiencing difficulty starting your car after an accident it could be the result of a tripped inertial switch that cuts power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to prevent your vehicle from catching fire in the case of a collision, but can also damage your engine when it's tripped.
It's possible that you are unable to start your car after an accident as your car's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this instance you'll require a professional in order to find out the cause of the issue and then fix it.
Even if you have a well-maintained car it is essential to rev the engine every often to make sure it's properly lubricated. This can be accomplished by gently turning on the engine and letting it warm up for about 30 minutes or for a few minutes.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners and other parts to ensure that they are in good working order. This will increase your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
It's also a great way to ensure that your tires are at the right pressure. Properly filled tires will enable them to grip the road more effectively and lower the risk of a tire blowout or other damage.