5 Clarifications Regarding Auto Accident Lawyers
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can result in devastating effects. It can result in a loss of income, benefits and substantial out-of pocket costs.
If you're a victim in an auto accident or a bystander who is witnessing one, there are many ways you can keep yourself safe and help others.
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving has a huge impact on your safety as well as that of other drivers. Food, texting, and grooming are among the most frequently-repeated distractions.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or death to others around them. Drivers who are distracted might ignore road signs or hazards or overlook unexpected problems.
Distractions are anything that takes the driver's attention from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each has its own unique characteristics.
Visual distractions are things that distract drivers from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard or even rubbernecking a car accident. This can be very risky particularly if the driver is driving at highway speeds, or when they are walking or passing pedestrians.
Manual distractions can also be dangerous, particularly when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or react quickly. Drinking while driving switching the radio station, or reaching for something in the backseat could be extremely distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. These distractions can include talking on a phone, singing or thinking about an emotional situation. They can also be indications of drowsiness and make it difficult for a driver stay focused on the road.
The best way to avoid distracting behavior while driving is to set boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be accomplished by modeling behavior and setting rules to limit the time spent on screens.
It's important to keep in mind that everyone is at risk of being distracted by a driver, and it's not just teens or drivers who are new. Older people, drivers who are drowsy and even pets can be potential distractions while driving.
You can also advise them to put their cell phone on "do not disturb" mode and turn it off while they are driving. It is also a good idea to encourage them to put their mobile phone in "do not distract" mode and turn off when they're behind the wheel.
Beware of Your Distance
Maintaining an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front of you is one of the most important actions you can take to ensure your vehicle's safety. This can help prevent a collision and shield you and those around you from injury or death.
There are many ways you can ensure that you're traveling at the right distance. You can utilize the 3-second calculation to determine if you are following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes three seconds for you to react when a vehicle brakes suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in front of you it won't give you enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens.
This is especially true of truck drivers, who require plenty of space to brake safely when they are approaching a stop. This rule of the road is often not observed by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and deaths.
In addition to using the three-second rule, you may also measure your following distance by finding an object that is fixed and then calculating how long it takes for you to get to the same point after the vehicle ahead of you passes it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree, or other roadside marker and watching the vehicle in front of you pass it.
Once you've established how long it takes for your vehicle to reach that spot when the other vehicle passes it, continue counting. Count 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 31,000 until you attain a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle in front.
If you're unable reach three seconds in one row, gradually increase the distance you're following until you get there. It may require a slowing down to avoid a collision but the extra effort is worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing the distance you follow and following the 3-second rule, you can avoid these accidents as well as other collisions that could cause serious damage to your vehicle and those near you.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequent auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account to almost a third of all accidents and cause the death of 2,000 people each year in the United States.
Although front-end collisions may be more fatal, rear end collisions still cause significant injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause whiplash-like injuries to soft tissues, for example.
These injuries can cause severe discomfort in the neck, back and shoulder regions. They may require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to recover from.
Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means that you should be following them at a safe speed and not lag behind them.
Driving too closely can increase your risk of a rear-end collision as you won't have enough time to notice and react to dangers, such as slower or stopped traffic ahead of you. The National Safety Council recommends that passenger cars maintain a three-second minimum distance of following distance, and larger vehicles even more.
When road or weather conditions are not ideal rear-end collisions are more risky. If you're driving in heavy rain or snow for instance, you should increase your following distance.
Check your rear-view-mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This will depend on how crowded the road is in front of you. auto accident attorney colorado springs will allow you to discern if a motorist behind you has stopped or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to switch lanes or to pull out of a parking lot. This will help the driver behind you be aware of your vehicle and aid in stopping them from swerving out of their lane in order to hit you.
Keep children in the back of the car while traveling with them. This will stop them from running around the vehicle, or becoming disoriented and distracting while you are driving.
It is an excellent idea to keep your phone off the road while driving and refrain from using it to distract yourself. Talking or texting on your phone can be a significant contributing factor in rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your vehicle could be one of the most important elements for you as a driver, but it can be also one of the most frustrating components. If you're involved in an auto accident, your vehicle's engine might not start after you turn the key or press START.
The problem is not easy to determine or fix, so you should take your car in as soon when the light appears. The lights will inform you when there's a problem with the battery, alternator and temperature or other parts of your car that require attention.
If you're experiencing difficulty starting your car after an accident it could be because of a tripped inertial control that shuts off power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to prevent your vehicle from burning in the event of a collision but can also damage the engine if it is tripped.
Another reason you might not be capable of starting your engine after an auto accident is that the crash may have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop working properly. In this instance you'll require a professional to determine what caused the issue and then fix it.
Even if your vehicle has an engine that's healthy, it's still important to run it once in intervals to ensure it's well-lubricated and functioning properly. This can be done by turning the engine and letting it warm for about 30 minutes or for a few minutes.
You can use this time to examine all belts, hoses and air cleaners in your vehicle to make sure they're operating properly. This will increase your gas mileage as well as ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
It's also a great way to ensure that your tires have the correct pressure. Properly filled tires will allow them to take on the road more effectively and decrease the chance of a tire blowout or other damage.