A vehicle accident can be one of the most frightening events a person can experience. While major accidents can be terrifying, even minor accidents can cause fear, panic and injuries. If you’ve been involved in a vehicle accident, you probably already know that it can be very easy to become confused and disoriented. Many people involved in accidents recall the scenario playing out in slow motion, or as if in a dream. As a result, it can be very easy to react in an undesirable manner, possibly leading to more or worse injuries. In order to help you remain calm and in control during the aftermath of an accident, here are a few helpful tips.

Get Your Bearings – After an accident, it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious, often leading to disorientation. In the immediate moments after an accident has occurred, try to take a few moments to absorb what just happened before doing anything else. This can also help if you are injured, as immediately jumping out of your vehicle may cause greater harm to your body.

Check for Injuries – Once you have come to terms with the situation, you need to decide if you are injured, and if so, to what extent. Some of the most common injuries in a vehicle accident are broken bones, and these bones may include ones found in the neck and spine. If you are concerned that you have broken a bone, particularly in your neck or back, do not exit the vehicle or move unless it is absolutely necessary. Doing so could cause permanent damage, including paralysis. You also need to keep in mind that an accident may cause a spike in adrenaline, so you may be injured and not even realize it until after you’ve calmed down.

Check On Others – No matter who was at fault in the accident, it’s important to check on anyone else involved if possible. If you haven’t suffered injuries and are able to exit the vehicle, check on any other drivers or passengers involved in the accident. Even if you were not badly hurt in the accident, others may have been. If another driver or passenger appears to be hurt, do not try to remove them from their vehicle unless you absolutely have to. As mentioned, moving someone with a broken neck or back may cause permanent or fatal injuries. Call for help and let emergency responders do their job.

While gasoline is one of the most common fluids needed to keep a vehicle running, there are actually a large number of others which are required to keep you on the road. Although many people take the process for granted, not checking and maintaining your fluid levels on a regular basis can actually be dangerous. From component malfunction to inoperability, improper fluid levels can destroy a vehicle.

Transmission Fluid – In vehicles which employ an automatic transmission, transmission fluid is a crucial part of keeping a vehicle running smoothly. Transmission fluid is actually a type of oil, and it is entirely different from the traditional motor oil used in an engine block. This type of fluid is typically used to stave off rust, oxidation and gasket thinning.

Power Steering Fluid – Most modern vehicles employ power steering, which assists in navigating a vehicle in tight spots, as well as while on a highway. Power steering fluid should be monitored on a regular basis in order to protect various components, which may also include O-rings and power steering pumps. Checking this fluid level often can assist your vehicle in remaining able to move.

Motor Oil – You can think of oil as the lifeblood of your vehicle. Oil acts to lubricate the various moving parts of an engine, allowing them to grind against one another without causing heat friction, which ultimately leads to total engine meltdown. It’s recommended to change your motor oil every 3,000 miles, or three months, whichever comes first.

Coolant and Antifreeze – Antifreeze and coolant fluids are added to your radiator to keep your vehicle from overheating or freezing during cold conditions. These fluids are generally green in coloring, but in recent years, manufacturers have begun offering various colors to signify use with all vehicles. Many times, antifreeze is offered in a concentrated formula, meaning you will need to dilute it with water before putting it directly into your radiator.

Brake Fluid – Just like the rest of your vehicle, your brakes need fluid to keep the braking system lubricated. Brake fluid is essential in stopping quickly and accurately, and any leaks or problems with brake fluid need to be addressed immediately.

Windshield Washer Fluid – While not always considered an essential vehicle fluid, windshield washer fluid is actually a very important part of driving. Using windshield washing fluid to clean your windshield may mean the difference between the ability to see and non-visibility.

On the highway or just on a back road, everyone should practice defensive driving. Defensive driving can not only save you money, but it can also save your life. In addition, defensive driving helps to protect the lives and property of others around you while on the road. As well, defensive driving can help you to avoid legal problems such as speeding tickets and arrest.

The key to defensive driving is to pay attention to your own driving habits. Between other vehicles on the road, cell phones ringing, billboards flying by, animals darting out in the road and all manner of other distractions, it can be very easy to lose focus while driving. Unfortunately, distracted driving can lead to major accidents and speeding tickets, as well as unnecessary wear on your vehicle through actions such as slamming on your brakes.

Essentially, by paying attention while driving, you have the chance to defend yourself from the actions of others. Defensive driving involves watching out for other drivers, as well as anticipating potential driving threats. An example of defensive driving on a highway would be watching for drivers merging into your lane and adjusting your own driving habits as a result. By changing lanes safely to avoid these drivers, you are less likely to be involved in an accident, and you are less likely to injure others.

Additionally, defensive driving involves paying attention to your speed and following distance. The recommended standard is to leave one full car length between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you for every ten miles per hour that you are traveling. It can be easy to let your speed get away from you while driving on a highway, so try to remember to check your speed from time to time in order to not only obey the speed limit, but also to give yourself enough space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

You can also practice defensive driving by being polite. Allowing others to change lanes in front of you can lead to better flowing traffic for everyone. Try to avoid becoming angry or vengeful if another driver cuts you off, as they may not have done so intentionally. Becoming angry may lead to you driving more erratically, meaning less attention paid to the road and less attention being paid to potential driving hazards.

When it comes to your car insurance, are you taking advantage of all of the discounts that your auto insurance company offers? If not, you may be surprised at just how much money you could be saving per year by taking just a little time to do some research. In fact, more and more insurance companies are offering a variety of discounts to their customers, and these discounts could end up knocking hundreds of dollars off of your annual premium.

One of the most common discounts that insurance companies offer is for having multiple vehicles insured at once. This discount is great for families with multiple drivers and vehicles and can typically save you money each time you add a vehicle to your policy. It should be noted that some companies place restrictions on their multi-car discounts, so you may want to speak with your company before applying for this discount if you drive a commercial vehicle.

Another discount that more and more companies are offering is a driving habit discount. These discounts usually involve drivers being provided with an electronic device that attaches to their vehicle. This device will then record driving habit information, such as how often the vehicle is driven and at what times of day, and this information will determine the discount percentage. While a number of car insurance providers are turning to this technology, it is not available in all states due to certain legal restrictions, so you should contact your insurance provider before applying.

Finally, many car insurance companies also offer discounts for going paperless. As the internet and email have made document delivery less expensive and quicker, car insurance companies end up saving a lot of money by corresponding with customers online. This can even include sending out insurance documents, such as proof-of-insurance cards, that can be printed off from a home printer. As a result of the savings that an insurance company experiences by doing this, they can then pass these savings on to their customers. Some states do require that certain documents actually be mailed, so check with you insurance provider for more information.

Remember, when it comes to discounts on car insurance, it’s important to do your research, as well as shop around. In addition, not all companies offer the same discounts in conjunction with certain policies, so you will need to weigh the pros and cons of switching companies simply for a discount.