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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, substantial out-of-pocket expense, and even severe injuries which require extensive treatment. If you're a victim in an auto accident or who is witnessing one, there are numerous ways to ensure your safety and assist others. Avoiding Distractions If you're distracted while driving, it could cause a huge impact on your safety as well as the safety of others. Some of the most common distractions are eating, texting and grooming. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it could result in grave injuries and death for those around them. Drivers who are distracted could ignore road signs and dangers or fail to notice unexpected issues. Distractions may be anything that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control. They can be visual or manual and each is unique in its own way. Visual distractions include things that divert a driver's attention from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or rubbernecking a car accident. This could be risky particularly when a driver is driving at highway speeds, and passing pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions can also be dangerous, especially when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or react quickly. Eating while driving can be very distracting or even changing the radio station or reaching for something in the back of the car. Cognitive distractions are a less obvious but just as deadly category of distractions. These can be distractions like conversations on a cell phone, singing or thinking about an emotionally charged situation. They could also be a sign of drowsiness, which could make it difficult for drivers to stay focused on the road. Set good boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. This can be done by living by example and setting rules that limit screen time. It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver, and it's certainly not just teens or new drivers. Even pets, elderly people and drivers who are tired can be distractions when driving. If you know someone who is susceptible to distraction while driving, be sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their eyes to the road and how to avoid this happening. You can also advise them to put their mobile phone in “do not distract” mode and then turn off when they're driving. Keep Your Distance One of the most important things you can do to ensure your car is safe while driving is to maintain an appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This can help prevent a collision, and safeguard you and those who are around you from injury or death. There are several methods to ensure that you're keeping the correct distance when driving. One option is to utilize the 3-second rule. It's a an easy calculation that will aid you in determining if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes about three seconds to react when another car stops abruptly. If you are too close to the car ahead of you, it will be difficult to stop safely. This is particularly true for truck drivers, who require plenty of space to brake safely as they approach the stop. Many accidents involving semis or large rigs occur because drivers fail to observe this road rule which can cause serious injuries or even death for everyone involved. In addition to the three-second rule, it is possible to also measure your distance following by finding an object that is fixed and then calculating the time it takes you to get to the same point after the vehicle in front of you passes it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, a tree, or any other roadside marker, and then watching the car in front of you pass it. Count again. Once you've decided the time it will take for your car to get to that spot after another car has passed, start counting. Count 1-1,000, 2-1,000, and then 3-1,000 until get to a three-second gap between you and the car ahead. If you're unable get to three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you are there. It could mean slowing down in order to avoid a collision however, the effort worth it. The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. By increasing the distance you follow and using the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these crashes as well as other collisions that could cause severe damage to your vehicle and the people surrounding you. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions comprise among the most frequent types of auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear-end collisions account to almost a third of all accidents and cause 2,000 deaths annually in the United States. While front-end collisions are more risky, rear-end collisions are still a significant cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash. These injuries could cause drivers to be afflicted with severe pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. These injuries typically require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages in order to heal. Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means you must follow behind them at a safe speed and not to tailgate them. You increase the chance of rear-end collisions if you're driving too close. This is due to the fact that you won't have enough time to react to hazards such as slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds of following distance for vehicles that are primarily passenger vehicles, and more for larger vehicles. If the weather or road conditions are bad rear-end collisions are much more risky. If you are driving in heavy snow or rain, for example you should extend your following distance and exercise extra precautions. Make sure to check your rear-view mirror frequently to avoid a rear-end collision. This depends on how busy 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. Use your turn signals to change lanes or pull from a parking lot. This helps the driver behind you to see your car and prevent them from swerving off the lane and strike you. Always ensure that children are in the back of the car while traveling with them. This will prevent them from bouncing about the vehicle, or getting lost and distracted while driving. It is an excellent idea to keep your phone off the road while driving and avoid using it as a distraction. Talking or texting on your phone can be a major contributor to rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine of your car may be among the most crucial components for you as a driver, however it can be also be one of the most frustrating parts. If you get into an accident, the engine of your car might not begin after you turn the key or press START. auto accident injury attorneys isn't simple to identify or fix therefore, you should take your car in as quickly as the light is on. The lights will notify you when there's a problem with the battery, alternator and temperature, as well as other parts of your car that require attention. If you're having difficulty starting your vehicle following an accident, it could be due to a tripped switch that shuts off the power to the fuel pump. This switch is intended to prevent your vehicle from catching fire in the event of a collision, however, it could also cause damage to your engine when it's tripped. It's possible that you are unable to start your car following an accident, because your vehicle's engine transmission has stopped functioning properly. In this instance, you will have to talk to a mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and fix it. Even if you have a well-maintained car, it is important to rev the engine every now and then to ensure it's properly lubricated. This can be done by turning the engine and letting it warm for about 30 seconds or as long. You can take this opportunity to inspect all belts, hoses and air cleaners in your vehicle to ensure they're functioning properly. This will improve your fuel efficiency and also ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly. This is also a great method to ensure your tires are properly inflated. Properly filled tires will allow them to take on the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a tire blowout or other damage.