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What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident A car accident can result in devastating consequences. It can involve loss of income and benefits, significant out-of-pocket costs, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment. You can help yourself and others by remaining protected if you're the victim of a car accident or a witness. Beware of Distractions Distracted driving can have a significant impact on both your safety and the safety of other drivers. Some of the most common distractions include eating, texting, and grooming. Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or death to those near them. This is due to distracted driving that can cause drivers to disregard dangers and unexpected complications that are in front of them or to ignore important road signs. Distractions are anything that diverts the driver's attention from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each has its own unique characteristics. Visual distractions can distract drivers' attention from the road, for example, using a GPS or looking at a billboard, or rubbernecking during an accident. This can be dangerous particularly when a driver is driving at highway speeds while passing pedestrians or other vehicles. Manual distractions can also be dangerous, especially when drivers aren't paying attention to the road and are unable to react quickly enough. While driving, eating switching the radio station, and reaching for something in the backseat can be very distracting. Cognitive distractions are a lesser-known but equally deadly category of distractions. They can involve talking on a phone, singing or thinking about an emotionally charged scenario. They could also be indicators of drowsiness, which can make it difficult to keep a driver's attention on the road. Set boundaries and practice attentive drive to keep your eyes off the road. You can accomplish this by setting guidelines and modeling. It's important to keep in mind that everyone is at risk for being a distracted driver and it's not just teens or drivers who are new. Even pets, older drivers and motorists who are sleepy can cause distractions while driving. If you know someone 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 prevent this from happening. You can also suggest to your friend to turn off their mobile and put it on “do-not-disturb” mode when they are driving. Keep Your Distance One of the most important actions you can take to keep your car safe when driving is to keep a safe distance between yourself and any vehicle ahead of you. This will help avoid collisions, and also ensure that you are protected and the people in the vicinity from injury and death. There are a variety of ways to ensure that you're following the correct distance. You can use the 3-second calculation to determine if you are following too closely. The 3-second rule is based upon the fact that it takes around three seconds to react when a vehicle stops abruptly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the distance, you won't have enough time to stop safely in case a collision happens. This is especially relevant for truck drivers who require plenty of room to safely stop when approaching an intersection. Many accidents involving semis or large rigs happen because drivers fail to observe this road rule and could result in grave injuries or even deaths for all involved. In addition to the three-second rule you can also measure your distance to follow by finding an object fixed and calculating the time it takes you to reach the exact location 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 vehicle in front of you pass it. Once you've determined how long it takes your car to arrive at the spot when the other vehicle passes it, begin counting again. Begin counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 3,001 until you get to a three-second gap between you and the car ahead. If you're unable to get to three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you get there. This could mean slowing down to avoid collision but it's worth the extra effort. The most common rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. By increasing your following distance and utilizing the 3-second rule, you can avoid these collisions and other collisions which could cause serious damage to your car and the people near you. Avoiding Rear End Collisions Rear-end collisions rank among the most common auto accidents. According to best auto accident attorney near me , rear-end collisions account for nearly a third all accidents and cause 2,000 deaths annually in the United States. While front-end collisions are more fatal, rear-end collisions can be still a significant cause for injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also result in whiplash-like injuries to soft tissues, for example. These injuries can cause severe pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas. They typically require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to recover from. The best way to avoid rear-end collisions is to keep your distance from other vehicles. This means that you should follow behind them at an appropriate speed and not speeding up to them. You could increase the risk of rear-end collisions by driving too close. This is because you don'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 passenger cars, and more for larger vehicles. When road or weather conditions are poor rear-end collisions can be more dangerous. When driving in severe snow or rain for instance you must increase your following distance and take extra care. 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 let you know whether the driver in front of you is slowing down or applying the brakes. Use your turn signals to change lanes or pull from a parking lot. This can help the driver in front of you see your car and can aid in stopping them from swerving out of their lane in order to hit you. If you're traveling in a vehicle with children, you must make sure you keep them in the back seat of the vehicle. This will prevent children from bouncing around in the vehicle or becoming confused and distracted while driving. It is recommended to keep your phone off the road while driving and refrain from using it as a distraction. Texting or talking on the phone can be a major cause of rear-end collisions. Keep Your Engine Running The engine in your car is one of the most crucial parts for you as a driver however, it can also be frustrating. In the event of an accident, you may discover that your car's engine doesn't start when you turn the key. This isn't a issue which is simple to identify and repair, so it's recommended to take your vehicle to a mechanic at the moment the check engine light turns on. The lights will notify you that there's an issue with the alternator, battery or temperature, or any other part of your car that need 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 off power to the fuel pump. This is designed to prevent your car from catching fire in the event of a crash but it can also cause damage to your engine if shut off. You may not be able start your car after an accident, because your vehicle's engine's transmission has stopped working properly. In this case you'll need the help of an expert mechanic to determine the cause of the issue, and then fix it before you start your vehicle again. Even if you own an engine that is in good condition it is crucial to rev the engine every often to make sure it's properly lubricated. This can be achieved by switching the engine on with a gentle touch and waiting for it to warm for 30 minutes. You can use this time to check all the belts, hoses, and air cleaners in your vehicle to ensure they're operating properly. This will increase your gas mileage as well as ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly. It's also a great way to ensure that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. If your tires are properly inflated, it will ensure that they grip the road better and reduce the chances of a tire blowout or any other damage.