Driving Safe Near School Buses

One of the safest forms of transportation on the road today are school buses. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children riding a school bus are 10 times safer than they are walking to school and 13 times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle.

The reality is that more children are hurt outside of the bus than inside, and many have lost their life in bus-related crashes as pedestrians. This is why it is important to use extra precaution when driving around school buses and always follow the signals.

Always pay attention to the flashing signals on the bus. When a bus starts to flash it’s yellow signals, it is indicating that it will stop soon and you should decrease your speed. When the bus flashes its red signals and displays it’s stop signs, you should come to a complete stop.  Children are most susceptible to being hit in the area that is 10 feet around the school bus. Stop your vehicle at a safe enough distance to allow children to safely exit or enter the bus or cross the street. Never attempt to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. In fact, all 50 states have a law making this action illegal.

Always keep a close eye on children as they’re getting on and off the bus. There is a chance that a child may run once they step off onto the road. Children are unpredictable and tend to be oblivious to the dangers around them, which is why motorists need to pay extra attention. Always remain alert and don’t begin driving until the bus has retracted its signals and all children are safely away from the road.

Parents should also educate their children on proper bus etiquette. The National Safety Council (NSC), recommends that children should wait away from the road while they wait for the bus and only board it once it has completely stopped. If children must cross in front of the bus, they should walk at least 10 steps away from the bus so that the driver will be able to see them. Also, it is never a good idea to walk behind the bus as the drivers may lose sight of children in the blind spots.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.

Driving on Flooded Roads

Just like homeowners, floods also pose a huge threat to motorists. Floods can occur just about anywhere and can sometimes strike suddenly. In the United States, flash floods are the number one weather-related cause of death, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The majority of the fatalities involved with floods are because people try to navigate through them instead of avoiding them altogether. 

When driving in a flood, pay attention to any barricades and do not ignore them. The barricades are there for a reason. Avoid driving through standing water on roads or parking lots.  The average vehicle can be swept off the road in a foot of moving water.  In addition, roads that are covered by water are prone to collapse. Driving through water can also stall your engine, which may lead to irreparable damage if you attempt to restart the engine. You’re better off avoiding a flood zone at all costs.

If avoiding flooded roads is not an option, take extra precautions. First, try and estimate the depth of the water.  If you see other cars driving through it, make a note of how deep it is. If you determine that the water isn’t too deep, drive slowly and steadily. Always avoid driving in water that downed power lines have fallen into as electric current passes through water very easily. 

If you have navigated water that reached up to your car’s rims or higher, you should test your brakes on a clear area of road at lower speeds. If the brakes are wet and not stopping the car like they’re supposed to, try drying them.  To dry them, take your left foot and press gently on the brake pedal while maintaining speed with the right foot. 

Be on the look out for any items or debris that is traveling towards you. If you’re in their path, these items can potentially trap or crush you. If you vehicle stalls in water, you might have to restart the engine. Remember that restarting the engine could cause irreparable damage. In the event that you cannot restart your car, abandon it immediately by attempting to open the door or rolling down the window. If you cannot get out safely, call 911 or alert someone nearby on higher ground to do so.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.

How to Get your Car Unstuck from Mud

Cars are designed to drive best on paved roads that provide traction. Even vehicles designed for off-roading, like Jeeps, can still get stuck in mud.  You risk getting stuck in the mud whenever you drive on wet or unpaved roads or even when you go out four-wheeling. If you ever find yourself in this type of situation, there are a few tips you can follow that may help you get out of such a sticky mess.

As soon as you reach mud and get stuck, don’t panic. Avoid pushing hard on the accelerator in an attempt to get out of the mud, as this will cause your car to get stuck even deeper. Instead, gently press on the accelerator to try and ease out of the muddy pit. If your car has automatic transmission, put it in the lowest gear and give it a little bit of gas to see if your tires will get any traction.  If your car has a manual transmission, put it in a higher gear and gently let out the clutch, while moving your tires inch by inch.

If the above steps fail you, rock the car back and forth. Turn your steering wheel so the wheels are straightly aligned, and then rapidly switch back and forth from reverse to drive about 8 or 10 times. Only do this no more than 8 or 10 times because you can damage your vehicle. Try letting a small amount of air out of your tires. A tire that is slightly flat will increase the amount of surface area that comes in contact with the ground and could provide the extra traction you need to get yourself out of the mud. Remember to fill up your tires once you get out to safety.

Try to find something that you could place under the tires to provide extra traction. This includes a blanket, old coat, floor mats, sand, tree branches or boards (make sure to check for nails). Place the items under the front tires and slowly drive over them. This trick will usually get a car out of the mud but if it doesn’t, you may need to seek help.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.

Dealing with Potholes

Potholes big and small can be found anywhere and are considered a nuisance. Chances are you’ve come across them before, and as you know, they can make for an uncomfortable and bumpy ride.  Potholes have the potential to cause serious damage to your vehicle, with some potholes having as much impact as a car crash at 35mph. Structural damage can be caused by potholes as well as damage to your tires.  Alignment problems may also happen which leads to uneven wear on your tires. If your tires are underinflated, potholes may cause them to blow out, potentially leading to an accident.

The freezing and thawing of water under the pavement are the cause of many potholes. This process weakens the road and causes large-sized cracks. With the weight of vehicles continuously driving over, these cracks eventually turn into potholes. Areas with severe winter weather are more prone to potholes.

Here are a few tips that may help you navigate pothole-filled roads:
If there is a vehicle in front of you, leave plenty of room between you both so you can avoid the pothole without getting involved in an accident. If there is a pothole you can’t avoid, slow down before hitting it but do not brake directly over it, as this can cause even more damage.

When you drive over the pothole, firmly hold the steering wheel to prevent yourself from losing control.  Use extra caution when driving over a puddle of water because it might actually be a pothole in disguise. If you usually take routes with pothole roads, you need to watch out for symptoms of pothole damage. Here are some symptoms to watch out for: Your car is pulling to the left or right instead of going straight or has uneven tire wear- both can be signs of an alignment problem, blisters or bulges on the sidewalls of the tire, dents in the wheel rims, low tire pressure, swaying when making turns, excessive bouncing on rougher roads, bottoming out on city streets. These could indicate a suspension or steering problem. If you notice any problems, take your vehicle to a car shop for inspection.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.

What to Do: Power Line is Touching Your Car

Downed power lines can be extremely dangerous and have caused many accidents and fatalities. You should never touch a power line or even use an object to touch one. But what if you’re in your car and the power line is touching your car? There are a few steps you can do that may help you get out of this situation safely.

First thing you should do is stay in your car. Warn any people to stay away from your vehicle and ask them to call 911 and the electric utility company.  If no one is around, try honking your horn and rolling down your window to yell for help. Remain in your vehicle until rescue workers arrive. Staying inside your car is safe because the rubber tires help electricity from not going to the ground.

In the event that you absolutely have to leave your vehicle because of fire or some other danger, avoid stepping out of the car. If you make contact with the car and the ground at the same time, you will get shocked. Instead of stepping right out of your car, jump away from your car so you do not make contact with your vehicle and the ground all at once. Make sure your feet are together when you land. Shuffle away without lifting your feet from the ground.  

Avoid trying to help someone else from your car while standing on the surrounding ground. Doing so will make you a path for electricity and you risk being seriously injured or killed.

Be aware that once you jump away from your car, you might not be all clear of danger. Electricity may spread throughout the ground in a circle from a downed power line. As you move away from the point of contact, the voltage drops. If one part of your body touches a low voltage area and another part makes contact with a high voltage area, you automatically become a conductor for electricity. This is why it is extremely important that you shuffle away from the line, keeping your feet together and not lifting your feet off the ground.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.

What to Do if your Car is On Fire

Although they don’t occur frequently, car fires do happen and they’re one of the deadliest emergencies. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, in 2010, firefighters responded to more than 200,000 car fires. In that same year, car fires took the lives of 285 people. There are measures that you can take to avoid injuries and even save your life or someone else’s.

If you see flames or smell smoke coming from your car while driving, you need to remain calm and act fast. Car fires not only break out in the engine compartment. Fires can occur near the brakes or wheels, under the vehicle, or even inside your vehicle. Interior fires can be the most terrifying due to your close proximity to the flames and smoke.

Follow these steps from the National Safety Council if a fire starts while you’re driving: Signal and immediately move to a safe spot to stop. After stopping the car, turn off the ignition. Get you and everyone out of the car and make sure no one goes back in to retrieve any personal items. Move as far as possible (at least 100 feet) from the burning vehicle to avoid toxic fumes and flames and keep any bystanders back. Call 911 immediately and if possible, alert any oncoming traffic.

It is not recommended that you attempt putting out the fire yourself. Opening the doors or hood increases air supply and can accelerate the fire. After the fire has been put out, take photos of the damage if possible and collect basic information (name and number) from any witnesses. Ask the firefighters when it is safe to get personal items from the car. Before attempting to operate the vehicle again, have it inspected at a repair shop.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA

Signs Your Brakes are Giving Out

One of the most vital safety features of your vehicle is its braking system.  Its primary job is to keep you and your passengers safe while keeping your car out of the body repair shop. It’s important you recognize the signs when they’re about to give up on you and how to react if they do.

There are number of reasons that brakes experience damage or failure. Low levels of brake fluid and worn out rotors and/or brake pads all contribute to the demise of your brakes. Infrequent or improper maintenance is dangerous and can result in serious consequences. If you haul a heavy trailer that lacks trailer brakes, realize that this may also contribute to accelerated wear and damage to your brakes by overheating them. Weather extremes, like corrosion from road salt, also play a role on the wear and tear of your vehicle’s brakes.

If every time you tap on the brakes you hear a high-pitched squeal noise, you need to visit a mechanic as soon as you can. Basically any scraping, grinding, or scratching sounds that you may hear coming from your brakes warrants a visit to the mechanic. If you find that your vehicle pulls hard to one side when you stop, this could be an indicator that one side of your brakes is functioning properly and the other is not. Shaking of the steering wheel, brakes that pulsate before functioning, or sink to the floorboard, are all red flags.  Notice that you’re unable to stop quickly or that your stopping distance has increased? This could be also be a sign that your brakes need a checkup.

In the unfortunate event that your brakes do fail, follow a few steps in order to ensure you make it out of the situation safe and without harm to others. If your brakes fail as you’re driving, remain calm, stay focused and immediately take action. Turn on your hazard lights and honk your horn so you can warn other drivers. Remove your foot off the accelerator pedal so you’ll be able to slow down and try to maneuver your car to the shoulder or right lane. Downshift so the engine can help slow down the car. If your car comes equipped with anti-lock brakes, press down on the brake pedal firmly. If your vehicle does not come with this feature, pump the pedal instead. Once at a decreased speed, slowly and gradually engage the parking brake. Doing this with too much pressure or too quickly could cause your wheels to lock up.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.