15 Things You Don't Know About Auto Accident Lawyers
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident can have devastating consequences. automobile accident lawyers near me can cause loss of income, benefits, and substantial out-of pocket costs.
You can aid yourself and others by staying secure if you're a victim of a car crash or a witness.
Beware of Distractions
If you're distracted while driving, it can be a major risk to your safety as well as the safety of others. Food, texting, and grooming are just a few of the most frequent distractions.
Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or death to others in their vicinity. Drivers who are distracted may disregard road signs and hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues.
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, manual or cognitive and each type is unique in its own way.
Visual distractions are the things that distract drivers' eyes from the road, like using a GPS, looking at the billboard, or even rubbernecking in an accident. It can be dangerous, especially when a driver is traveling at highway speeds and is passing pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can also be very harmful, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road and do not react quickly enough. Eating while driving can be very distracting as can switching the radio station, or reaching to something behind the car.
Cognitive distractions can be just as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by calling, singing or thinking about a difficult situation. They can also be signs of drowsiness, which could make it difficult for drivers to remain focused on the road.
Set boundaries and practice an attentive drive to keep your eyes off the road. You can accomplish this by establishing rules and living by example.
It's important to be aware that everyone is at risk of being a distracted driver, and it's certainly not just teens or drivers who are just starting out. Even pets, older drivers and drowsy motorists can be distractions when driving.
If you have a friend or relative who is susceptible to distracted driving, make sure to speak with them about the importance of keeping their focus on the road and ways to stop this from happening. You can also encourage your friend to shut off their mobile and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode while they are driving.
Beware of Your Distance
One of the most important ways to ensure your car's safety when driving is to keep a safe distance between yourself and any vehicle ahead of you. This can help prevent an accident and protect you and those around you from injury or even death.
There are a variety of methods to ensure you're traveling at the right 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'll need around three seconds to respond when a vehicle suddenly brakes. If you're too close to the vehicle in the direction of you, you won't have enough time to stop in a safe manner before a collision occurs.
This is particularly the case for truck drivers, who require plenty space to stop safely at a traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis as well as large rigs occur because drivers fail to follow this road rule and can result in serious injuries or even fatalities for all involved.
In addition to the three-second rule, it is possible to also determine your following distance by finding a fixed object and counting the time it takes you to reach the same point after the vehicle ahead of you passes it. This can be done by watching the car in advance of an overhead sign, tree or other roadside markers.
Count again. Once you have determined the time it will take your vehicle to arrive at that location after a car has passed, begin counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and finally, 3-1,000 until you have reached three seconds of gap between you and the car in front of you.
If you're unable to complete three seconds in an uninterrupted row slowly increase your following distance until you reach. This may mean slowed down to avoid the risk of crashing but it's worth the extra effort.
The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. You can avoid collisions as well as others by extending your following distance.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst most common types of automobile accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that they represent more than 1/3 of all accidents that result in about 2,000 deaths every year in the United States.
While front-end collisions are much more dangerous, rear-end collisions are still a significant source of injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions may also cause soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
These injuries can cause drivers to suffer severe pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder and back areas. These injuries typically require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages to recover.
Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means following them at the appropriate speed and never speeding up to them.
You increase the risk of rear-end collisions when driving too close. This is because you won't be able to have enough time to react to potential hazards such as slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends that passenger cars maintain a three-second minimum distance of following distance, and larger vehicles even more.
If the weather or road conditions are hazardous rear-end collisions can be more dangerous. If you are driving in heavy snow or rain for instance, you should increase your following distance and use extra precautions.
To avoid a rear-end collision, make sure you check your rear-view mirror frequently depending on how busy the traffic is ahead of you. This will help you determine whether the driver in front of you is accelerating or applying the brakes.
Another good habit to have is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving parking spaces. This can help the driver in front of you be aware of your vehicle and help prevent them from swerving out of lane to cause a collision with you.
If you're travelling in a car with children, always ensure that you keep them in the back seat of the vehicle. This will keep children from running around the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving.
It is also a good idea to keep your phone away while driving and refrain from using it as a distraction. Talking or texting on your phone could be a major cause of rear-end collisions.
Keep Your Engine Running
The engine in your car is among the most crucial parts for you as a driver however, it can also be a hassle. In the case of an accident, you may notice that your car's engine won't start when you turn the key.
The issue isn't simple to diagnose or fix So you must bring your car in as quickly as the light is on. The lights will illuminate you if your vehicle is experiencing an issue in the area of temperature, battery, alternator or in any other area.
If you're having trouble getting your car to start after a minor accident it could be because of a tripped inertial switch that shuts off power to the vehicle's fuel pump. This switch is designed to stop your car from catching fire in the case of a collision, but it 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 collision could have caused your vehicle's transmission to cease functioning properly. In this case you'll need to consult a mechanic in order to find out the cause of the issue and then fix it.
Even if your car is equipped with an engine that's in good shape is still necessary to check it out once intervals to ensure it's properly lubricated and running. This can be done by turning the engine on slowly and allow it to warm for 30 seconds.
When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's hoses, belts, air cleaners, and other components to make sure they're in good functioning order. This will improve your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle operating smoothly.
This is also a great way to ensure that your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires will allow them to take on the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a blowout or any other damage.