What to Do If You Get in an Auto AccidentA car accident can be a devastation. It can lead to loss of income, benefits and significant expenses out of pocket.If you're a victim in an auto accident or who is watching one, there are many ways to ensure your safety and aid others.Avoid distractionsIf you are distracted while driving, it can have a dramatic impact on your safety and that of others. Food, texting, and grooming are some of the most frequently-repeated distractions.If distracted drivers are involved in an accident, it can result in serious injuries and death for the people near them. Drivers who are distracted can ignore road signs and hazards or fail to notice unexpected issues.Distractions can refer to anything that diverts the driver's attention away from the road, causing them to lose control. They can be visual, manual or cognitive and each type has its own distinct characteristics.Visual distractions are things that distract a driver's focus from the road. Examples include using a GPS or reading a signboard or even rubbernecking a car accident. This could be dangerous particularly if the 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 or cannot react quickly. Driving while eating can be very distracting as can switching the radio station or reaching for something behind the car.Cognitive distractions can be as dangerous as other distractions. They could be a result of talking on the phone, singing or thinking about a difficult situation. They can also be signs of drowsiness that can make it hard for drivers to stay focused on the road.Set boundaries and practice attentive driving to keep your eyes off the road. This can be done by living by example and setting rules that limit the time spent on screens.It's important to remember that distracted driving is an issue for everyone not just teenagers and drivers who are new. Even pets, older individuals and drowsy motorists can cause distractions while driving.You can also advise them to put their mobile phone on "do not disturb" mode and switch it off when they are behind the wheel. You can also help your friend to turn off their phone and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode when they are driving.Beware of Your DistanceOne of the most important actions you can take to keep your car safe while driving is to maintain an appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This can prevent an accident and protect the people around you from injury or even death.There are several ways you can ensure that you're driving at the right distance. One way is to use the 3-second rule, which is an easy calculation that will aid in determining if you're following too closely.The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes about three seconds to react when a car brakes abruptly. If you are too close to the car in front of you, it will be difficult to stop safely.This is especially true for truck drivers who require plenty of space to stop safely when they approach the traffic stop. This rule of the road is often not observed by drivers, resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities.In addition to using the three-second rule, it is possible to also determine your distance following by locating a fixed object and counting how long it takes for you to arrive at the same point after the vehicle in front of you has passed it. This can be done by watching the car advance of an overhead sign, tree or other roadside marker.Continue counting. Once you've decided how long it will take for your car to reach the spot after another driver has passed, start counting. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 2-1,000 and then 31,000 until you've reached three seconds between you and the car ahead of you.If you're unable to complete three seconds in a row then gradually increase your distance to follow until you can. This may mean slowed down to avoid an accident however it's well worth the extra effort.The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers are too close to the vehicle in front of them. By increasing your following distance and following the 3-second rule, you will be able to avoid these collisions as well as other collisions that could cause serious damage to your vehicle and the people around you.Avoiding Rear End CollisionsRear-end collisions rank among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that they are responsible for more than a third of all crashes and result in an estimated 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.While front-end collisions are more fatal, rear end collisions can result in serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions can also cause whiplash-like injuries to soft tissues, for example.These accidents can cause drivers to suffer severe discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. They usually require physical therapy, medical bills and lost wages to heal from.Keep your distance from other cars to avoid an accident. This means pursuing them at a safe speed and not following them.Being too fast can increase your risk of a rear-end collision as you will not have enough time to react to dangers, such as slow or stopped traffic in the area in front of you. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds for following distances in vehicles that are primarily passenger vehicles, and more for larger vehicles.When road or weather conditions are hazardous rear-end collisions are more dangerous. If you're driving in snow or heavy rain, for instance, you should increase your following distance.Make sure to check your rear-view mirror frequently to avoid a rear end collision. This will depend on the volume of the road ahead of you. This will allow you to determine if a driver behind you has reduced speed or applied the brakes.Another great habit to keep is to use your turn signals when changing lanes or getting out of parking spaces. This lets the driver behind you understand your vehicle and help prevent them from swerving out of their lane to cause a collision with you.If you're travelling in a car with children, you must ensure that they are in the back of the vehicle. This will stop them from bouncing about the vehicle, or becoming confused and distracted while driving.It is also a great idea to put your phone away and avoid using it while driving. Texting or talking on the phone texting may result in rear-end collisions.Keep Your Engine RunningThe engine in your car might be one of the most important components to you as a driver, but it could also be among the most frustrating components. If you get into an auto accident, your vehicle's engine might not begin after you turn the key or press START.This isn't an issue that's simple to spot and fix, so it's best to bring your car in for a checkup at the moment the check engine light comes on. The lights will alert you if there's a problem with the alternator, battery or temperature, or any other part of your car that require attention.If you have trouble starting your vehicle after an accident that isn't too serious it could be due to a tripped switch that cuts off fuel pump's power. auto accident lawyer san diego is designed to prevent your car from lighting on fire in the event of a crash however, it could also cause damage to your engine should it be activated.Another reason you might not be not able to start your car following an 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 fix it.Even if you own a healthy car it is essential to rev the engine every once or twice to ensure that 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.When you do this, you're taking an opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's belts, hoses air cleaners, and other components to ensure that they are in good working order. This will boost your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle running smoothly.This is also a great method to ensure that your tires are inflated properly. Properly inflated tires will enable them to take on the road more effectively and reduce the chance of a blowout, or any other damage.