All posts tagged auto crashes

Car Crashes: How to Take Care of Your Ride After an Accident

car crashes

The first thing you need to do after getting into a car crash is to make sure that you and anyone else involved are all right. The second thing you need to do is make sure your car is alright. The effects of a collision on your vehicle can be intense. Here’s how to take care of your ride after an accident.

Bring It into a Shop

Some car accidents are so intense that a vehicle is all but unsalvageable, while others have a decent amount of damage that can be remedied. To show you really care about your vehicle, you need to give it a thorough inspection after an accident. First, you should make sure that you’re using a shop approved by your insurance agency. This will hopefully be a business that is honest and has a great reputation.

Determine All the Damage

While some vehicular trauma is readily apparent, other aspects might not be so visible. For instance, your engine could be damaged in a way that you would only realize if you tried driving it. There’s no sense in cutting corners with car repairs. Even if it’s expensive, it’s absolutely worth it. You don’t want to get substandard repairs and have to deal with even further damage to your car.

Be Mindful of Cosmetic Damage

Things like scratches and bumps might not have a huge impact on your car’s overall performance, but they’re still things that you want to take care of. You want to get in touch with businesses who specialize in this type of damage. Auto glass repair services are especially necessary for trauma to your windows and/or mirrors. After an accident, it’s worth it to try to make your car look better than ever.

Drive Carefully

A car that has gone through an accident needs to be brought back on the road with as much tenderness as possible. It’s like getting back into running after recovering from a broken leg. You want to make sure you’re being as gentle on your car as possible. Your accident can help remind you of the importance of road safety.

Just because your car has been involved in an accident, it doesn’t mean it can’t be salvaged. The most important thing is to be aware of what’s happened and how to prevent a recurrence. By having it looked over by professionals and driving with even more care than before, you can drive with confidence.

Five of the Most Common Causes of Car Crashes

Many car crashes every year could be avoided with just a few changes in driver behavior. People often memorize the rules in the DMV’s driver handbook before getting or renewing their license, but fail to follow them in daily driving. The following are five things you can do to help avoid a car crash, and keep you safe and alert on the road.

Don’t Drive Distracted

Texting is one of the most distracting and dangerous things you can do while driving. It takes your eyes off the road, and takes control of the steering wheel out of your hands. Talking on the phone, even with a hands-free setup, takes your attention away from driving as well. Pull over if you need to use your cell phone. You should be aware of all your other distractions as well. Putting on makeup, eating, changing the radio, or even talking to a passenger can take your mind off your tasks. Make sure you use caution and try to avoid anything that takes away your attention.

Distance

Following too close is a major cause of car crashes and minor fender benders. Staying at least one car length behind the car in front of you is the commonly accepted rule, but is difficult in slow traffic. The Lucky Law Firm suggests you stay as far back as possible and be alert for sudden stops, or people attempting to pull between you and the car in front of you.

Lane Changes

Failure to signal a turn or lane change causes many accidents. This is especially true in heavy traffic, or if the driver behind you is driving too close to your car. Always use your turn signals, and try to avoid sudden lane changes.

Stopping

Drivers often become lazy about obeying stop signs, and many just don’t understand signals on traffic lights. Always come to a full stop at a stop sign. A “rolling stop” doesn’t give you time to make sure the road is clear. Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is a common cause of traffic tickets. A yellow light on a standard traffic light is a signal to stop. It’s not a signal to speed up to avoid stopping for the red light. A yellow arrow on a traffic light also signals that you should stop. Also be aware of the rules when traffic lights go out. Treat the intersection as a four way stop and pay attention to who stops first, as they have the right of way.

Speeding

Speeding is always dangerous. Speeding at night, or in bad weather raises your chances of a crash. Even a damp road increases the time it takes you to slow down or stop. Be aware of your surroundings and always use caution. You might not drive the same on that windy road home when it’s raining.

Following basic traffic rules can decrease your chances of a car crash, but nothing can make you immune from a fender bender or auto accident. If you’ve been involved in an accident, consult a law firm specializing in traffic accidents or a Baton Rouge accident attorney, and make sure that you are aware of all your legal rights and options.