What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can be a devastating incident. It can lead to loss of income, benefits, and substantial out-of pocket costs.
You can assist yourself and others by remaining protected if you're the victim of a car crash or a witness to one.
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving can have a major impact on your safety as well as that of other drivers. Eating, texting, or grooming are some of the most frequently-repeated distractions.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to those around them. This is because distracted driving may cause drivers to miss dangers and unexpected complications that are in front of them or to overlook important road warning signs.
Distractions may be anything that diverts the driver's focus from the road, causing them to lose control. They can be visual or manual, and each has its own distinct characteristics.
auto accident attorney colorado springs are those that distract drivers' eyes from the road, for example, using a GPS or the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. This can be very risky especially when the driver is driving at highway speeds or they are traveling by other vehicles or pedestrians.
Manual distractions can be risky, particularly when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or react quickly. Eating while driving changing the radio station and reaching for something in the backseat could all be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions can be just as harmful as other distractions. They can involve using a mobile phone, singing or pondering an emotionally charged event. They can also be a sign of drowsiness, which can make it difficult for a driver to focus on the road.
The best way to stay clear of distractions while driving is to set boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can accomplish this by establishing rules and following by example.
It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk of being distracted by a driver, and it's not just teens or drivers who are just starting out. Even pets, elderly people and drowsy motorists can cause distractions while driving.
If you have a loved one who is prone to distraction while driving, be sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their eye on the road and ways to stop this from happening. You can also help your friend to shut off their phone and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they drive.
Beware of Your Distance
One of the most important things you can do to ensure the safety of your vehicle when driving is to keep an appropriate distance between yourself and any vehicle in front of you. This can help prevent the possibility of a collision, and also protect yourself and others around you from injury or death.
There are several ways to ensure that you're driving at the correct distance. You can utilize the 3-second calculation to determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that you need approximately three seconds to react if another vehicle brakes suddenly. 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 safely in case a collision happens.
This is especially the case for truck drivers, who require plenty of room to stop safely before approaching an intersection. This rule of the road is often ignored by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and even deaths.
In addition to the three-second rule, you may also measure your distance to follow by locating an object fixed and calculating how long it takes you to arrive at the same point after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree, or any other roadside marker, and watching the car in front of you drive by it.
Repeat the count. Once you've decided how long it will take for your car to get to that spot after another vehicle has passed, begin counting. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 31,000 until you get to a three-second gap between you and the car in front.
If you're not able to reach three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you are there. It might require you to slow down to avoid a collision, however, the effort worth it.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. You can avoid these collisions and others by extending your distance of following.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most frequent auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions account for nearly a third all accidents and cause the death of 2,000 people each year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are much more fatal, rear-end collisions can be still a major cause of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash.
These injuries can cause severe pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas. They may require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to recover from.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means you should follow them at a reasonable speed and not to tailgate them.
If you drive too close, it can increase the risk of a rear-end crash because you may not have enough time to see and respond to hazards, like slow or stopped traffic in the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance for passengers in cars, and more for larger vehicles.
Rear-end collisions can be extremely risky when the road or weather conditions are threatening. When driving in severe snow or rain for instance you must increase your following distance and use extra care.
You should regularly check your rear-view mirror to avoid a rear end collision. This will depend on the volume of the traffic is in front of you. This will let you know whether the driver behind you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Another great habit to keep is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or taking a car out of parking spaces. This can help the driver in front of you see your car and can assist them in avoiding a swerve out of their lane in order to cause a collision with you.
Always ensure that your children are in the back of the vehicle when you travel with them. This will stop children from running around the vehicle or becoming confused and distracted while driving.
It is recommended to keep your phone off the road while you are driving and refrain from using it to distract yourself. Texting or talking on the phone can be a major cause of rear-end collisions.
Maintaining Your Engine
The engine in your car is one of the most important parts for you as a driver however it can also be frustrating. 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 easy to identify or fix, so you should take your car in as quickly as the light is on. The lights will let you know that there's an issue with the battery, alternator and temperature, as well as other parts of your car that need attention.
If you're having difficulties starting your vehicle following an accident that isn't too serious, it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts off power to the fuel pump. This is designed to protect your vehicle from lighting on fire in the event of a crash however, it could also cause damage to your engine if it gets tripped.
You may not be able start your car after an accident because your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this situation you'll need assistance from an expert mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and correct it before you start your vehicle again.
Even if you have a healthy engine, it's still important to check it every once in a while to make sure it's well-lubricated and functioning properly. This can be done by turning the engine and letting it warm up for about 30 seconds or for a few minutes.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners and other parts to make sure they're in good functioning order. This will improve the efficiency of your vehicle and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
It's also a great method to make sure your tires have the proper pressure. When your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they grip the road better and decrease the chance of blowouts or other damage.