The Allstate Blog » Auto Accident

Do You Know What to Do After a Car Accident? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Melissa — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:54 +0000

You're driving in bumper-to-bumper, stop-and-go traffic during rush hour on a Tuesday evening. Just as you glimpse your long-awaited exit, the car in front of you slams on the brakes. You stop just in time -- but then the car behind you slams into your back bumper. Oh no! You've been in an accident! Would you know what to do if this happened to you? There are a lot of things to consider after a wreck on the road, and knowing what steps to take can help ease the stress of an already nerve-wracking situation. Check out the infographic below for some helpful information: Looking for more information about car accidents and insurance? Check out the Tools and Resources section of Allstate.com.

Beyond Texting: Avoid All Distractions While Driving [INFOGRAPHIC]

Brendan — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:00:47 +0000

Driving distracted--even for a moment--can lead to a catastrophe. While texting is one thing that can take your eyes off the road, it's not the only way drivers can become sidetracked. Eating, interacting with passengers, adjusting the radio and of course, engaging in multimedia interactions can all contribute to a less-than-focused driver...and that can be a very dangerous situation. Consider taking the proper steps to reduce or eliminate these situations, and avoid common driving distractions. [infographic]

The Ultimate Emergency Car Kit: How to Equip Yourself for Most Any Calamity

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:02:16 +0000

No one enjoys being stranded on the side of the road, but when you have a well-equipped emergency car kit packed away in the trunk, the situation can be more bearable. This emergency car kit checklist covers the basics, but also has suggestions for items you may have overlooked. Consider packing these supplies for a super vehicle emergency car kit you can bring along on a spring or summer road trip, or just your next long-distance excursion with the kids:

Sanitation

Toilet paper. Keep a 4-pack handy; remove the cardboard tubes and flatten.
Hand sanitizer. Store in a quart-size zip-top bag to avoid leakage.
Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. Travel sizes make these easier to pack. Pack a set for each member in a zip-top bag labeled with each person’s name.
Plastic tablecloth. This can cover questionable surfaces when you’re ready for a meal or a diaper change.
Trash bags. These are good for lining an emergency potty, which could be a 5-gallon bucket or a toddler potty.
Baby wipes.
Bar of soap. Store in a zip-top bag or soap box.
Disinfecting wipes.
Feminine protection.
Small box of tissues.
Zip-top bags in different sizes. These come in handy for holding dirty laundry, dirty diapers or trash, and can even be used to hold water.

Sustenance

Energy bars. Choose high-calorie options; they're lightweight but provide the calories you'll need in a small dose.
Almonds.
V-8 juice.
Sport drink, premade or a mix.
Peanut or other nut butters in foil packets.
Jerky.
Dried fruit.
Applesauce/fruit cups.
Hearty, whole wheat crackers.
Hard candies.
Tuna packs.
Dry cereal.
Jam/jelly cups.
Trail mix. Make sure there’s no chocolate (which would melt in high temperatures).
Shelled sunflower seeds.

Survival

Water. A case of water bottles or cleaned 2-liter soda bottles, refilled with tap water, and tightly capped. These bottles can be reused.
Water filter. I like the Life-Straw or PurifiCup, which are both lightweight and highly portable.
LED flashlights and/or headlamps.
Rain ponchos.
Emergency radio. Choose a model that is both solar- and battery-powered.
Heavy-duty trash bags.
Reflective emergency blanket/sleeping bag.
Duct tape. (There’s always a use for duct tape.)
Fleece blankets. I roll these up and store them under the back seat for easiest access. They can be used as a window shade, ground cover, changing pad and in so many other ways.
Tarp.
Paracord. 50 yards, or more. Paracord is a lightweight nylon, general purpose utility rope.
Multi-purpose knife.
Extra batteries. For everything in your kit that requires a battery.
Hand/foot warmers.
Work gloves.
Small shovel.
Fire-starters, such as waterproof matches, flint or a Blast Match, which shoots sparks with three times the heat of a standard match.
Multi-tool.
Binoculars.
Light sticks. These are great to keep the kids entertained but also helpful for keeping track of them after dark.
Maps.
High quality first-aid kit.
Bandannas.
Small pair of scissors.
Collapsible nylon bag or small backpack. If you ever have to leave your vehicle for safer ground, this will enable you to take the most essential items with you.
Shoelaces.
Walking shoes for each member of the family. You’ll give thanks for having sturdy, comfortable shoes stashed in the car if you ever have to hoof it to safety.
Floppy cotton hat.
Sunblock.
Medications. Make sure you only pack those that aren’t temperature-sensitive.
Face mask. Even a simple dust mask comes in handy around a forest fire or high level of smog.
Bug repellent.
Moleskin.
Survival and first aid manuals.

Security

Whistle.
Cash, coins. Power outages also take out ATM machines. Having cash for gas, a restaurant meal or hotel room might put you ahead of those who only have a debit or credit card.
Disposable camera. This could be very helpful in documenting a car accident, license plates, injuries or storm damage.
Pepper spray. This is good bear spray if your travels take you through bear country.
Emergency phone numbers on a laminated card.

Sanity

Deck of cards.
Foam ear plugs.
Books on CD, paperbacks.
Inspirational or motivational book.
Small journal/pen or pencil.
Lip balm.
Battery-powered fan.

I keep my emergency kit packed in an opaque, under-the-bed bin that fits perfectly in the back of my SUV. To help with organization and keep track of inventory, I keep a laminated copy of this checklist on top of everything. Once your list is laminated, use a china marker to keep track of what you have packed in the kit. Lisa Bedford, author of “Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios," also blogs at www.thesurvivalmom.com. She believes there is power and peace in being prepared. Recommended by the editors:

Survive a Night in Your Car

Doug Howlett — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:00:45 +0000

It’s a harrowing statistic, but according to the National Weather Service, about 70 percent of winter weather-related fatalities occur in an automobile. You can bet many of those vehicle-related deaths began with someone simply leaving the house to run an errand, make a short trip to visit family or friends or take care of routine business. The weather turns unexpectedly bad, road conditions rapidly deteriorate and, suddenly, what was an ordinary drive becomes an overnight ordeal. Don't think just because you don’t live in New England, the upper Midwest or the western mountains that something like this can’t happen to you. Even in areas where snow is a rare event, cars can slide off icy roads and become stranded in freezing weather, leaving passengers stuck right there with them. Here’s how to make it through a freezing night in your car and ride out events until help can arrive.

Be Prepared

The first thing to do as winter approaches is be sure you have stored a few key items in your car. If you wait until you need them to try to round them up, it will be too late. Essential items to include in a winter survival kit, according to a combination of recommendations by Wisconsin Emergency Management’s Ready Wisconsin initiative and survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt’s OutdoorSafe website, include:

Bottled water (at least four quarts)
Snack foods, particularly nutritious energy bars
Raisins, dried fruit, nuts, candy bars
Strike-anywhere, waterproof matches and small candles
A flashlight with extra batteries
First-aid kit
Folding knife and multi-tool
Emergency flares
An extra winter coat, mittens and a wool cap
Winter boots
Toilet paper
Cellphone and charger
A space blanket
A spare blanket or sleeping bag
A portable radio with spare batteries
Tow rope
Nylon cord
Flagging tape
Chemical hand and body warmer packets

Other essential winter tools in severe weather country include jumper cables, a small shovel, tire chains and rock salt, sand or kitty litter to provide added traction when stuck on a slick surface.

Before You Go

If you're leaving for an extended trip, always check weather and road conditions before departing. If poor conditions are forecast, you may consider postponing your trip. Also, let others know when you are leaving, which way you will be traveling and when you should arrive at your destination so they can alert authorities and provide them with solid information to help in finding you should the need arise. Fill your car with fuel and make frequent stops to stretch, relax and refill your tank, never allowing it to get much below a half tank. Should you become stuck and need to spend the night in your car, the ample gas will allow you to start your car throughout the night and run the heat for short intervals.

If You Are Stranded

First call for help if you can’t get your car unstuck. Don’t overexert yourself and don’t leave your car and begin walking for help. You stand a much better chance of being found if you remain with your car, which can also provide the best shelter from the elements. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety warns against running your car constantly. Instead, be sure the exhaust pipe is free from snow and roll down a window enough to vent the car and prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Run the car for short 15-20 minute intervals to warm up and then turn it back off, using blankets, a sleeping bag, hand warmers and the body heat of others in your car to stay warm. Eat snacks to keep nourished and read a book (another item Kummerfeldt recommends) until help arrives.

Top 10 Distractions for New Drivers [SLIDESHOW]

Melissa — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:00:12 +0000

In 2010, 18 percent of crashes with injuries were reportedly caused by distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here are some of the top distractions that could potentially cause problems for drivers -- whether they are first-timers or experienced behind the wheel. [slideshow] Recommended by the Editor:

Create the Ultimate Car, Frankenstein Style [SLIDESHOW]

Brendan — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:00:58 +0000

Today’s cars and trucks have many capabilities and often cross over traditional concepts of vehicle types. Despite this evolution, many people still want more from their cars. More trunk space, more power, more traction, more…cupholders. While it's admittedly not realistic, it would be nice to have a cartoon-like car that could expand or adapt to fit whatever that day's driving requires. Wouldn’t it be fun to serve as a vehicular Dr. Frankenstein, cobbling together the mismatched parts of your favorite vehicles to assemble the ultimate work of automotive engineering? The resulting car might not be easy on the eyes – it may even attract torch- and pitchfork-wielding townspeople – but you'd have a vehicle that could tackle any driving condition: [slideshow] Considering all the bells and whistles this vehicle would contain, it would likely be a target of car thieves…but they can’t steal what they can’t see. This ultimate car needs ultimate security, and that means stealth…or invisibility. Our Frankenstein car could utilize active-camouflage technology, covering the exterior skin with both cameras and tiny LED lights to project the background image on the near side of the car, rendering it nearly invisible. Just don’t forget where you parked it.

What features would you put in your perfect car?

Protect your 'Frankenstein Car' with proper auto insurance. Learn more about auto insurance coverage in Allstate's Tools & Resources section.

Bedtime Stories: Cinderella Needs Carriage Insurance [VIDEO]

Brendan — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 11:00:50 +0000

Classic fairy tales seem to resonate with every successive generation. The concepts, themes and lessons taught are timeless. But, children are always looking to change things a bit and create their own world with their unique imagination. This version of Cinderella illustrates that clearly, because as the father reads the story to his little girl at bedtime, she interrupts with no-so-subtle changes to the story...maybe even making it better. It seems the father gets caught up in the creativity, injecting his own tweaks to the story that address his fatherly concern for safety and preparedness.

A Racer’s Guide to Avoiding Accidents

Sean — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:00:49 +0000

Fender-benders – and worse — are common in the world of racing. It is not unusual to see racers “trading paint” now and then as competitors jockey for position. And doing the “bump” is sometimes part of the art of passing, especially in short track racing. But even the most skillful racers know that they are taking a risk when they hit another vehicle. Avoiding contact is almost always the best policy for even the most aggressive race driver because he could get the worst of the wreck he triggers. That’s why Tim O’Neil, who teaches road rally driving for Ford Racing, emphasizes techniques that will help race drivers — and ordinary street drivers — avoid crashes. Even the average drivers commuting to and from work, picking up the kids or traveling to the big football game can learn a few tips that will keep the integrity of their vehicles intact. Here’s what he suggests to help achieve safer, smarter driving:

Watch the weather

Before you leave the garage or the parking lot, get a weather report. If there has been a change in temperature, you can almost always count on encountering some lousy driving conditions. Adjust your route and give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going safely. If your windshield is freezing, turn off the wipers and turn on the defroster. Drive cautiously and patiently.

Have a Plan B

If the route you usually take involves traversing an area where there are frequent accidents, look for a way around the problem spot. There is almost always an alternative route. If you absolutely can’t avoid the problem area, look for a way to stay out of the fray.

If you get stuck in an unexpected tough spot, look for a way out

Ask yourself some what-ifs. What if the driver in front of you slams on his brakes? How will you respond? What if a deer jumps out in front of you? Where will you go? If you plan what you would do, when and if the problem happens, you’ll respond automatically.

Try not to freeze

Many accidents happen because inexperienced drivers waste the seconds between seeing a problem – for instance, a car that pulls out in front of them — and doing something to avoid it. Practice reacting to tough situations. The trick is to keep your eyes on where you want to go, not on what you want to avoid hitting. The car will go where your eyes go. Consider building your skills and confidence by using a simulator. Computer games aren’t just for kids.

Don’t fly over the top of a hill

Lots of accidents happen in hilly areas when a driver is giving it all he’s got going up a hill. When the car hits the peak, the driver is unable to see what’s on the other side, but the car starts down the hill anyway, still going top speed. Or, the driver hits the brakes when heading down the other side and loses control. A better approach is to slow down as you crest the hill and see what’s ahead of you. If there are impediments, like slow traffic or slippery road conditions, don’t just rely on the brake. Shift the vehicle into a lower gear if you're traveling at a lower speed – even if you are driving an automatic.

Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel

Too many people drive when they are distracted, stressed out and not paying attention to what’s going on around them. Don’t be that driver.

When all else fails

Sometimes you just can’t avoid a fender-bender. Make sure that when you are behind the wheel, you always carry your driver’s license, registration and your insurance card.

Stay Safe During Child Passenger Safety Week

Brendan — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:00:36 +0000

It’s a daunting task that all new parents must face: properly using and securing safety seats for their children. While built to be a safe as possible, automobiles of all types can be dangerous, especially for your passengers – a fact that can be exacerbated when young ones are not properly restrained. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 12 years old, according to usa.gov. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids are coming together this week to kick off Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 16-22) and remind parents and caregivers to make sure that they are properly using and installing child safety seats. Safe Kids and NHTSA are encouraging everyone to take 15 minutes to conduct an at-home checkup using the following Safe Kids downloadable checklist:

Right Seat. Check the label on your car seat to make sure it's appropriate for your child's age, weight and height.
Right Place. Kids are VIPs, just ask them. We know all VIPs ride in the back seat, so keep all children in the back seat until they are 13. Doing this, along with correctly using the appropriate child restraints, greatly reduces the risk of injury.
Right Direction. You want to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat. Make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower anchors.
Inch Test. Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than an inch side to side or front to back? A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch.
Pinch Test. Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots (check manual). Now, with the chest clip placed at armpit level, pinch the strap at your child's shoulder. If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you're good to go.

Child Passenger Safety Week began September 16 and culminates September 22 with National Seat Check Saturday. Throughout the week, Safe Kids, with the support of the General Motors Foundation, will host hundreds of child seat inspections across the country as part of its Buckle Up Program, a national initiative established 15 years ago to keep children and families safe in and around cars. Car seat inspections offer drivers the chance to receive assistance and guidance from certified car seat technicians regarding proper installation of their child safety and booster seats. --NHTSA.gov

Purchasing the right seat is one thing, but proper installation can be tricky. A new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) survey shows that parents are making five significant mistakes when using car seats and booster seats. It also found that one in five parents do not read any instructions when installing seats. They are:

Wrong harness slot used: The harness straps used to hold the child in the car seat were positioned either too low or too high;
Chest clip in wrong position: Harness chest clip positioned over the abdomen rather than the chest or not used at all;
Loose car seat installation: The restraint system moved more than two inches side-to-side or front to back; anything more than one inch is too much.
Loose harness: More than two inches of total slack between the child and the harness strap; there should be no slack.
Seat belt placement was wrong: Lap belt resting over the stomach and/or shoulder belt on the child's neck or face.

The survey also revealed that 20 percent of all drivers of child passengers did not read any instructions on how to properly install their child restraints, yet 90 percent felt 'confident' or 'very confident' that their car seats and booster seats were installed correctly.

For more information and tips on child passenger safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS and www.safekids.org.

The Distraction Epidemic: Does Anyone Just Drive Anymore?

Sean — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 11:00:16 +0000

Just a couple decades ago, it would have been impossible to take a phone call while driving down the road – just imagine how long the phone cord would have been! However, that’s not the case today. Between phone calls, text messages, emails and social media, we’re more connected to the world around us than ever, and that connectivity is largely due to our cellphones and smart phones. Still, there’s growing concern that the distraction caused by smart phones is making our roadways increasingly dangerous. Does anyone just drive anymore?

The Basics of Distracted Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes distracted driving as any activity that takes your attention away from “the primary task of driving.” Distractions behind the wheel can endanger you, your passengers and others around your car. The NHTSA says there are three types of distraction that you face as a driver:

Manual: A distraction that takes your hands off the wheel.
Visual: A distraction that takes your eyes off the road.
Cognitive: A distraction that takes your mind off driving.

The NHTSA reports that text messaging, using a cellphone, eating or drinking, reading, talking to passengers, grooming, adjusting your stereo, watching a video and using a navigation system are all examples of distracted behavior. Of these distractions, texting is particularly concerning because it requires your manual, visual and cognitive attention.

How Distracted Driving Causes Accidents

In a survey conducted in 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 25 percent of drivers in the U.S. admitted they talk on their cellphones “regularly or fairly often” while driving. Additionally, 9 percent gave the same response when they were asked how much they text or email when they’re behind the wheel. The CDC reports that distracted driving is even more prevalent among younger drivers, noting that almost 40 percent of drivers ages 18 to 29 say they talk on the phone “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving. In addition, more than 25 percent of respondents in that age group say they text or email “regularly” or “fairly often” while operating a motor vehicle. According to the NHTSA, the average driver takes his or her eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds when sending or receiving texts. In that amount of time, you could travel the length of an entire football field if you’re driving 55 mph. As a result, the likelihood of a crash is “23 times worse than driving while not distracted.” Additionally, NHTSA reports that using a cellphone or portable electronic device behind the wheel makes you four times as likely to get into a crash in which you’ll sustain injuries. In 2010, distracted driving was linked to 18 percent of crashes that resulted in injury, according to NHTSA. Additionally, crashes that involved a distracted driver resulted in 3,092 deaths, while about 416,000 people were injured.

How to Prevent Distracted Driving

Because distracted driving is so dangerous, it’s important to take preventative steps to help keep our roads safe. The National Safety Council encourages us to stop using our cellphones while driving, and to share information about the dangers of distracted driving with friends and family. If someone calls you while they’re driving, the NSC also recommends telling them “that you’d be happy to continue the conversation once you have reached your destination.” By avoiding distracting behaviors behind the wheel, you’re taking positive steps to help keep yourself and your passengers safe. The phone calls and texts can definitely wait until you’ve parked the car. For more on distracted driving prevention, check out the Tools and Resources section on Allstate.com