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What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can be a traumatic event. It could result in loss of income and benefits, massive cost out of pocket, and severe injuries which require extensive treatment. If you're a victim in an auto accident or who's watching one, there are a variety of actions you can take to keep yourself safe and help others. Avoiding Distractions If you are distracted while driving, it can cause a huge impact on your safety as well as that of others. eating, texting, and grooming are some of the most common distractions. If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it can cause serious injuries and even death for those around them. Drivers who are distracted may ignore road signs and dangers or miss out on unexpected dangers. Distractions refer to anything that diverts the attention of a driver away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each comes with their own distinctive characteristics. Visual distractions can be anything that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or rubbernecking an accident. This can be very dangerous particularly if the driver is driving at highway speeds or when they are traveling by other vehicles or pedestrians. Manual distractions can be dangerous, especially when drivers are not paying attention to the road and cannot react quickly enough. Consuming food while driving switching the radio station, or reaching for something in the back of the car can be very distracting. Cognitive distractions can be just as harmful as other distractions. They can involve using a mobile phone or singing or pondering an emotional situation. They could also be indicators of drowsiness that can make it hard to keep a driver's attention on the road. automobile accident attorneys to avoid distracting behavior while driving is to set boundaries and practice attentive driving. This can be accomplished by modeling behavior and establishing rules to restrict screen time. It's important that we remember that everyone is at risk of being distracted while driving, and it's not just teens or drivers who are just starting out. Even pets, older individuals and motorists who are sleepy can cause distractions while driving. If you know someone who is susceptible to distraction while driving, make sure to talk to them about the importance of keeping their eye on the road and how to prevent this from happening. You can also help them to put their cell phone on “do not distract” mode and then turn off the phone when they are behind the wheel. Keep Your Distance Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is among of the best actions you can take to ensure your vehicle's safety. This can help prevent a collision and ensure that you are protected and the people in the vicinity from injury and death. There are a variety of ways you can 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 on the fact that you require around three seconds to react when a vehicle suddenly brakes. If you're too close to the vehicle in front of you and you're not close enough, you won't have enough time to stop without causing a crash. This is particularly true for truck drivers, who require ample space to safely brake when they are approaching an end. This rule of the road is often not observed by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. In addition to using the three-second rule, you can also measure your distance to follow by locating an object fixed in the ground and calculating the time it takes you to reach the exact point after the vehicle in front of you crosses it. You can do this by locating an overhead road sign, tree, or other roadside marker and then watching the car in front of you drive by it. Once you've determined the time it takes for your vehicle to reach that spot after the other driver passes it, begin counting again. Start counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3-1,000 until attain a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. If you're not able to achieve three seconds, then increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This may involve slowing down to avoid a crash but it's definitely worth the effort. The most frequent rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow too closely the vehicle in front of them. You can avoid these collisions and other accidents by extending your following distance. Avoiding Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions are among the most common auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they account for about a third of all crashes that result in an estimated 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 can also lead to a variety of soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash. These accidents can cause drivers to suffer severe pain and discomfort in the back, shoulder and neck areas. These injuries often require physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages to recover. The best way to avoid a rear-end collision is to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. This means that you should follow behind them at the appropriate speed and never following them. If you drive too close, it can increase your risk of a rear-end collision because you may not have enough time to be able to recognize and react to hazards, like slower or stopped traffic in the area in front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds of following distance for passenger cars, and greater for larger vehicles. Rear-end collisions can be particularly risky when weather or road conditions are hazardous. If you're driving during heavy snow or rain, for example, increase your distance to follow. To avoid a rear-end collision, check your rear-view mirror regularly depending on how crowded the traffic ahead of you. This will allow you to determine if a car in front of you has reduced speed or applied the brakes. Another good practice is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving parking spaces. This lets the driver behind you see your car and can aid in stopping them from swerving out of lane to hit you. If you're traveling in a car with children, always ensure that they are in the back seat of the vehicle. This will prevent children from bouncing around in the vehicle or becoming confused and distracted while you are driving. It is also a great idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Talking or texting on your phone can be a major contributor to rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your car is one of the most crucial parts for you as a motorist, but it can be a hassle. In the event of an accident you may find that the engine of your car won't start when you turn the key. The problem is not easy to determine or fix therefore, you should take your vehicle in as soon as the light comes on. The lights will notify you in the event of a problem with the alternator, battery and temperature or other parts of your car that require attention. If you are having trouble starting your vehicle after an accident of a minor nature, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts power to the fuel pump. This is intended to safeguard your car from lighting on fire in the event of a collision but it can also cause damage to your engine if it gets damaged if it is tripped. Another reason why you may not be in a position to start your engine after an accident is that the collision may have caused your vehicle's transmission to stop functioning properly. In this situation you'll have to seek assistance from a mechanic to determine the cause of the issue and then fix it before you start your vehicle once more. Even if you own a healthy car it is vital to run the engine every now and then to ensure it's properly lubricated. This can be done by turning off the engine and letting it warm up for about 30 minutes or more. It is a good idea to use this time to check all the belts, hoses, and air cleaners in your vehicle to make sure they're functioning properly. This will increase your gas mileage and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly. It's also a great method to ensure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Properly filled tires will enable them to take on the road more effectively and lower the risk of a blowout, or any other damage.