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Safety Tips For Before, During, And After An Accident
The best thing to do regarding a car accident is to avoid it. However, sometimes, whether or not we’re involved in a crash is outside of our control. When a car accident happens, the priority is to survive the impact. This article explores some techniques to increase your chances of surviving a car crash. Additionally, we will discuss some strategies that may help you avoid an accident and what you can do in the event of an accident.
If an accident occurs, you may have questions about your health, safety, and legal options. An attorney with decades of experience helping car accident victims can guide you. Consider consulting with a California injury law firm to understand your rights and options.
Our firm provides legal guidance and support to our clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and across California. If your accident was caused by another’s negligence, we can help you seek compensation for your losses. Call AK Law to consult with an experienced California accident attorney.
What To Do Before A Car Accident
Be Careful While Driving In The Fast Lane
The left lane on a highway is also known as the fast lane. Cars in the fast lane typically move much quicker than the cars in other lanes, and cars may even be driving over the speed limit. Drivers also use the fast lane to pass vehicles in the right lane.
When using the fast lane, it is crucial to maintain the same speed as the drivers around you to avoid causing an accident. If you are uncomfortable driving at high speeds, consider not using the fast lane.
Slow drivers should avoid the fast lane. They may disrupt traffic flow, which could lead to accidents. California is known for having heavy traffic. That is why everyone must drive carefully, and a part of being a careful driver is not disrupting the flow of traffic.
Call our legal team if you have been injured in an accident in California. Let the skilled attorneys at Arash Law, with decades of experience helping clients seek compensation after a crash, review your case.
Be Careful Of Your Blind Spots
Every vehicle has a blind spot! Some are larger than others. Be aware of your blind spots. A blind spot is an area where a person’s vision is blocked. Blind spots are created when you change lanes.
They can also occur when you are reversing your car or turning. You can avoid them by turning your head to look at your blind spots and checking your rearview and side mirrors.
Stay In Control Of The Steering Wheel
Stay in control of the steering wheel if it is possible. Remaining in control of the vehicle as much as possible will help minimize damage. If you can prevent the car from going to one side or the other, you may avoid striking other drivers.
Keep Up With Vehicle Maintenance
A great way to stop an accident from happening is to maintain your vehicle well. Get the recommended maintenance on your car at the correct frequency. Be sure to get regular oil changes, get your brakes checked, and do all other care required to keep your vehicle running smoothly. These habits may keep your car running longer and may prevent you from dealing with a wreck because of a vehicle malfunction.
Look Several Cars Ahead
Not only do you want to pay attention to what the car right in front of you is doing, but you may also wish to scan even a few cars further. Doing so leaves you with more time to do a quick stop if needed without rear-ending the vehicle in front. Being aware of the cars ahead of you gives you enough time to react.
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Every state has a seat belt law. You and all your passengers must always wear a seat belt while in your car. Seat belt laws were implemented to protect drivers and passengers from injury.
According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, in 2017, 14,955 lives were saved after a car crash because the drivers and passengers used a seatbelt. Buckling up is one of the best ways to survive a car accident.
Many vehicles are equipped with both airbags and seat belts. Both devices were created to work together and keep you safe. Be sure that your airbags and your seat belts are both maintained well.
If you are pregnant, properly wear your seat belt to protect yourself and your unborn child. Properly wearing your seatbelt gives you and your child a better chance of survival if you are in a car accident.
Drive A Safe Car That Is In Your Price Range
Different types of cars have different safety ratings. Keep in mind that older cars do not have the same safety features as newer models. Manufacturers did not have to adhere to the same safety standards as today’s cars, and technology hadn’t advanced as much. If you own an older car, you may not have the same protection as someone with a newer vehicle. Keep these factors in mind if you’re in the market for a new car.
You should also be aware of your car’s limits. Older cars may not be able to accelerate smoothly. Small cars may not be able to take the same type of blow a Hummer can take.
Finally, know some basic things about your vehicle, like the condition of your brakes and how much tread your tires have, before you operate your car. Knowing these things can help you keep your car safe on the road.
Put Away Flying Objects
Seemingly harmless objects can become dangerous flying projectiles when traveling at a high rate of speed. Being hit with a projectile during an accident can potentially cause a fatality. Fasten down everyday things that can move around while driving to ensure your and your passengers’ safety. Seemingly innocuous objects that can be dangerous projectiles may include the following:
- Rocks or pebbles picked up after a visit to the park.
- Sports equipment.
- Canned goods or fruit from your trip to the grocery store.
- An overnight bag.
- Your laptop or tablet.
- Unsecured passengers and pets.
For a safe trip, stow items like the above ones in your trunk or the wells of the seats. If you are driving a minivan or SUV, you may want to secure these types of items using a cargo cover or net.
The legal team at Arash Law can offer you information on how to take care of your family and yourself after a car crash. Call us if you have been injured in a car accident, and let us see how we can help you pursue the compensation that may be available to you under California law.
What Goes Into A Car Crash Survival Kit?
While you’re hopefully never involved in an accident, you might want to be prepared for one. Another step you can take is to have a car crash survival kit in your car. Some items that you can have in your kit include:
- A seat belt cutter
- A glass breaker
- A pocketknife
- A fire extinguisher
- Comprehensive first aid kit
- A blanket
- A flashlight
- Flares
- Your cell phone
The above items can help whether you are in your car or using a ridesharing app. For example, carrying a pocketknife while riding in an Uber or Lyft can replace the seatbelt cutter you keep in your vehicle. Some pocketknives even have an attachment on the pommel that can act as a glass breaker.
Use your cell phone to call 911 if you are injured in a car crash. Call the police and emergency services as soon as you are safe. Getting help as quickly as possible can help your chances of survival after a car crash.
After you have been treated for your injuries, call us. We are committed to helping people move forward legally after a car accident.
Our firm has decades of experience helping clients pursue the compensation they may need for their injuries and other losses following a crash. We have helped negotiate settlements for our clients. We are here to help.
What To Do During A Car Accident
Remain Or Regain Control Of The Vehicle
Maximize steering wheel control. Your hands should be at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock while driving to give you maximum control of the vehicle. If your car starts to skid, steer in the direction of the skid. Do not brake or accelerate until your tires regain traction. Always keep a firm grip on the wheel and stay calm.
Avoid Any Sudden Movements
Respond quickly and smoothly to potential accidents. Avoid jerking your steering wheel or slamming on the brakes unless necessary. Any sudden movements during a car accident could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
Aim For The Object That Will Do The Least Amount Of Damage
If you cannot avoid impact, try to steer toward an area that may cause the least amount of damage. If possible, drive away from oncoming traffic. Turn toward bushes if they are around, but big trees may be more dangerous to hit than other objects.
It may even be possible for new road signs to snap off when struck. Avoid colliding with other vehicles or running into immovable objects like concrete barriers.
What To Do After A Car Accident
If you cannot avoid a car crash, how you react can be very important. The moments after a car accident can be vital to saving your life and the lives of your passengers. Take a look at the following ideas for reacting to a car crash after it happens:
Remain Calm
It may be easier said than done, but staying calm after an accident could save your life. An overly emotional response to an accident might cause even more problems. Panic could cause your reaction time to be slowed down. If you do not have your wits about you and cannot react, you may not be able to reduce damage.
Panic may cause you to lose the ability to regain control of the wheel. You may not think to swerve out of the way to avoid other cars and further damage, and you might even have a panic attack. Again, although it is easier said than done, try to remain calm after an accident.
Slow Down
Press on the brakes. Try to slow your car down as safely as possible after an accident. A high rate of speed can be one of the most dangerous factors in an accident. The faster your vehicle is traveling, the greater the potential for injury to yourself and damage to your car.
While you’ll generally want to slow down after an accident, speeding up might be helpful in certain situations. Suppose you can increase your speed to get out of the way; then speeding up may be the right choice.
Stay In Your Normal Driving Position
If you hunch, duck, or change your normal driving position in any way, your injuries might be worse. Vehicle safety systems are designed to protect a driver during an accident if they are in the normal driving position of 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock.
Changing the standard driving position can potentially cause your head to hit the steering wheel or the dashboard, and you might be in the way of the airbags as they deploy. Moving your arms in front of your steering wheel could also make your arms vulnerable to the airbags. It is best to stay upright and hold the steering wheel for your safety.
When To Exit The Vehicle
Even after a crash, your vehicle may be the safest place to be. A crash can involve multiple vehicles over an extended period. After the impact:
- Assess the situation.
- Ensure that it is safe to leave your car.
- Leave your car if it is secure.
- Evaluate the risk of fire. Batteries and gas tanks are at risk of catching fire after an accident.
- Move to a safe distance and call for an ambulance and other first responders.
Then check if your passengers are okay. If one of your passengers or another driver is unconscious or severely injured, call 911 immediately for emergency assistance. If someone is severely injured, do not move them unless some immediate danger is present. Moving an injured person can potentially cause more damage.
After everyone involved in the accident is safe, call us. Arash Law and its team have decades of experience helping victims of car accidents seek the compensation they may be entitled to. After an accident, you may have a lot on your mind. In the meantime, our attorneys can handle your case while you focus on moving forward and healing from any injuries you may have sustained.
It can be overwhelming to collect evidence for a lawsuit or even understand what compensation you may be entitled to after an accident. Let our California car accident lawyers explain and potentially guide you throughout the legal process.
Call Us To Speak With A California Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been hurt in a car accident, call our attorneys. We know how to help injured clients pursue compensation for their losses after a crash. Our lawyers will not collect legal fees unless a case resolves with a settlement or verdict. Under this contingency fee agreement, we aim to make our services more accessible to car accident victims. However, certain case expenses could still be our client’s responsibility regardless of the outcome of their case. Our lawyers can discuss this fee structure and any other potential costs during your free initial consultation.
We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
