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What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can be a devastation. It could result in loss of income, benefits and significant expenses out of pocket. You can assist yourself and others by remaining protected if you're the victim of a car crash or witness to one. Avoid distractions Distracted driving has a huge impact on your safety as well as the safety of others. The most frequent distractions are eating, texting, and grooming. Distracted drivers could cause serious injuries or death to those who are around them. This is because distracted driving could cause drivers to ignore hazards and unexpected problems in front of them or to overlook important road signs. Distractions are any activity that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be visual or cognitive, and each comes with their own distinctive characteristics. Visual distractions include things that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or looking at a signboard, or rubbernecking in a car accident. It can be dangerous, especially if the driver is driving at highway speeds, and passing other vehicles or pedestrians. Manual distractions can be dangerous, especially when drivers don't pay attention to the road or cannot react quickly. Eating while driving or changing the radio station, or reaching for something in the back of the car can be very distracting. Cognitive distractions can be just as dangerous as other distractions. They can be caused by conversations on the phone or singing, or even thinking about an emotional situation. These are also signs of drowsiness which can make it hard for a driver stay focused on the road. The best way to avoid distracting driving habits 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 for being a distracted driver, and it's not just teenagers or drivers who are new. Older people, drivers who are drowsy and even pets can all be distractions for drivers. You can also ask them to set their cell phone on “do not disturb” mode and then turn it off when they are behind the wheel. You can also advise your friend to turn off their mobile and put it on “do-not-disturb” mode while they are driving. Keep Your Distance Maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in front of you is one of the best actions you can take to ensure your car's safety. This can prevent a collision, and protect you and others who are around you from injury or death. There are many methods to ensure you're driving at the right distance. One approach is to employ the 3-second rule. It's a simple calculation that can help you determine if you're following too closely. The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that you'll need about three seconds to react if another vehicle brakes suddenly. If you are too close to the car in front of you, it could be difficult to stop safely. This is especially true of truck drivers, who need plenty of space to safely brake as they approach the stop. Many accidents involving semis and big rigs occur because drivers fail to observe this rule of the road which can cause serious injuries or even death for everyone involved. In addition to using the three-second rule, you can also measure your following distance mentally by locating an object fixed in the ground and calculating how long it takes for you to reach the exact spot after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. This can be accomplished by watching the car in the direction of an overhead sign, a tree or any other roadside markers. Once automobile injury attorneys 've established how long it takes your car to arrive at the spot after the other car passes it, start counting again. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 3,001 until you attain a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. If you're not able to reach three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you are there. This could mean slowing down to avoid an accident, but it's worth the extra effort. The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. You can avoid collisions and others by extending your distance of following. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that they constitute nearly a third of all crashes, and they result in approximately 2,000 deaths per year in the United States. While front-end collisions can be more deadly, rear end collisions can cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also result in soft-tissue injuries like whiplash. These injuries can cause drivers to experience significant pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder and back areas. These injuries are often accompanied by physical therapy, medical expenses and lost wages in order to heal. Keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid an accident. This means that you must follow them at a reasonable speed and not tailgate them. Driving too closely can increase the risk of a rear-end collision as you will not have enough time to be able to recognize and react to dangers, such as slow or stopped traffic the front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds for following distances in passenger cars, and even greater for larger vehicles. When road or weather conditions are poor rear-end collisions are more risky. If you are driving in heavy rain or snow for instance, you should increase the distance you follow and take extra precautions. Be sure to check your rear view mirror regularly to avoid a rear-end collision. This depends on how busy the road ahead of you. This will help you discern if a motorist behind you has been slowing down or has applied the brakes. Another good habit to adopt is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or leaving parking lots. This lets the driver behind you to see your car and prevent them from swerving out of lane to cause a collision with you. Always keep children in the back of the vehicle when you are traveling with them. This will stop children from moving around in the vehicle, or becoming disoriented and distracted while driving. It is recommended to not use your phone while you are driving and to not use it to distract you. Texting or talking on the phone can be a key cause of rear-end collisions. Maintaining Your Engine The engine of your car might be one of the most crucial components for you as a driver, however it can also be among the most difficult parts. In the event of an accident you may find that the engine of your car won't start when you turn the key. The issue isn't simple to diagnose or fix, so you should take your vehicle to the mechanic as soon when the light turns on. The lights will inform you in the event of a problem with the battery, alternator or temperature, or any other part of your car that require attention. If you are having difficulty starting your vehicle following an accident that isn't too serious it could be due to a tripped switch that shuts off the power to the fuel pump. This switch is designed to prevent your vehicle from burning 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 car's transmission to stop working properly. In this case, you'll need to seek assistance from a mechanic to figure out the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you can start your vehicle again. Even if your car has a healthy engine but it's still essential to check it every once in every so often to ensure that it's lubricated properly and is working. This can be done by turning off the engine and letting it warm for about 30 minutes or more. When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to inspect all your vehicle's hoses and belts, air cleaners, and other components to ensure they're in good working order. This will increase your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle running smoothly. It's also a great way to make sure your tires are at the right pressure. Properly inflated tires will enable them to grip the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a blowout or any other damage.