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What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can be a devastating event. It can cause loss of income and benefits, significant cost out of pocket, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment. If you're a victim of an auto accident or a bystander who is watching one, there are several ways to ensure your safety and assist others. Avoid distractions Distracted driving has a huge impact on your safety as well as that of others. Some of the most common distractions include eating, texting and grooming. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could result in grave injuries and death for those who are around them. Drivers who are distracted may ignore road signs and hazards or overlook unexpected problems. 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 manual and each type has its own distinctive characteristics. Visual distractions include things that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. This could be extremely dangerous, especially when the driver is driving at a high speed or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions can also be extremely harmful, particularly when drivers are not paying attention to the road and do not react quickly enough. Food while driving can be extremely distracting as can switching the radio station or searching to something behind the car. Cognitive distractions are a less obvious but just as deadly category of distractions. They could include calling and singing, as well as thinking about an emotional situation. These are also signs of drowsiness which can make it hard for a driver stay focused on the road. Set good boundaries and practice attentive drive to avoid distractions while driving. This can be accomplished by modeling behavior and establishing rules to limit the amount of time you spend on your screen. It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver and it's not just teens or drivers who are just starting out. Even pets, older drivers and motorists who are drowsy can be distractions when driving. If you have a loved one who is prone to distraction while driving, make sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road, and how to avoid this happening. You can also help them to put their cell phone on “do not distract” mode and turn off the phone when they are behind the wheel. Keeping Your Distance Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is among of the best things you can do to ensure your car's safety. automobile accident attorneys can help avoid a collision and safeguard you and those around you from injury and death. There are many ways to make sure you're following the correct distance when driving. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule. It's an easy calculation that can aid you in determining if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that you require around three seconds to react when another vehicle abruptly brakes. If you're too close to the vehicle in the distance and you're not close enough, 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 stop safely at a traffic stop. This road safety rule is often ignored by drivers, which can result in serious injuries or deaths. You can also estimate the distance you have to follow a car by calculating the amount of time you need to reach a certain point after the vehicle in the front has passed by it. This can be done by watching the car the direction of an overhead sign, a tree or any other roadside markers. Once you've figured out how long it takes for your vehicle to reach the spot after the other car passes it, begin counting again. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 3,001 until you have reached three seconds of gap between you and the car ahead of you. If you're unable to complete three seconds in an uninterrupted row and you're not able to do that, gradually increase the distance you're following until you get there. It might mean slowed down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it. The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front of them. By increasing your following distance and utilizing the 3-second rule, you can avoid these collisions as well as other collisions that could cause severe damage to your vehicle and the people in the vicinity. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that they constitute about a third of all crashes, and they result in approximately 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions are more deadly, rear-end collisions are still a significant source of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also cause soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash. These injuries can leave drivers with significant discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulder and back areas. These injuries typically require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages to heal. The best way to avoid a rear-end collision is to keep a distance from other vehicles. This means that you should follow behind them at the appropriate speed and never tailgating them. There is a higher risk of rear-end collisions by driving too close. This is because you won't be able to have enough time to respond to dangers like slow or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance for passenger cars, and more for larger vehicles. When weather or road conditions are bad rear-end collisions are much more risky. If you're driving in heavy snow or rain for instance, increase your following distance. To avoid a rear-end collision, make sure you check your rear-view mirror often depending on how busy the traffic ahead of you. This will let you know whether the driver behind you is accelerating or applying the brakes. Another good practice is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of parking spaces. This will assist the driver behind you 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 car when you are traveling with them. This will help prevent them from bouncing around the car or becoming confused and distracted while you are driving. It is also a good idea to not use your phone while driving and avoid using it to distract you. Talking on the phone or texting may result in rear-end collisions. Keeping Your Engine Running The engine in your car is among the most vital components for you as a driver however it can also be a hassle. If you are involved in an auto accident, your vehicle's engine may not start immediately after you turn the key or press START. The issue isn't simple to diagnose or fix Therefore, you should bring your car in as soon when the light appears. The lights will let you know in the event of a problem with the alternator, battery and temperature or other parts of your vehicle that require attention. If you are having difficulty starting your car after an accident, it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts off fuel pump's power. This is designed to protect your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of an impact however, it could also cause damage to your engine should it be shut off. Another reason you might not be able to start your engine after an accident is that the collision may have caused your vehicle's transmission to cease functioning properly. In this scenario you'll have to seek out a mechanic to determine what caused the problem and fix it. Even if you own a well-maintained car, it is important to run the engine every periodically to ensure that it's properly lubricated. This can be done by switching the engine on with a gentle touch and let it warm for 30 minutes. When you do this, you're taking the chance to check all of your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners and other components to ensure they are in good working order. This will boost your gas mileage and keep your vehicle operating smoothly. This is also a great way to ensure your tires are properly inflated. When your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they be more stable on the road and reduce the chances of an accident involving a blowout of your tire or other damage.