How to Deal With the Most Common Roadside Emergencies

A flat tire, a broken windshield, leaving your keys inside your car, no one expects for any of these roadside emergencies to happen, and when they do, most of us are unprepared or unaware of what actions to take. A little preparation before hitting the road could make a dramatic difference in managing these situations. These tips will help you be prepared in case of an emergency and can guide you on what steps to take to fix them.

Dead Battery

The cold winter months are here, and low temperatures can lead to sluggish batteries, which increases the likelihood of experiencing a dead car battery. To avoid this event from taking up more of your time than necessary, make sure you have jumper cables in your car, in case your battery dies unexpectedly, and you need to jump-start your vehicle. Once you have purchased your jumper cables, make sure you take some time educating yourself on how to use them correctly, jump-starting a car isn’t difficult, but if not done correctly it could become dangerous.

Flat Tire or a Tire Blowout

Having a tire blowout while driving, especially if you’re driving at high speeds or down a busy road can be very dangerous and scary. No one expects to have a flat tire or have a tire blowout, but it’s always wise to know what to do in case this happens to you. If your tire blows out or becomes deflated while driving, don’t panic and immediately hit the brakes. Stopping suddenly in the middle of the road could cause a rear-end accident. Instead of braking, gradually reduce your speed by removing your foot from the gas pedal and start braking very lightly. Try to steer your car off the road or to the nearest exit. Turn on your flashers to alert other drivers. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, a tire blowout may cause your car to move sideways. To avoid a flat tire or a tire blowout make sure your tires are in good shape and take your vehicle for maintenance when required.

Car Accident

If you’re in a fender bender or a serious car accident resulting in injuries, there are a series of steps you should take to ensure everyone’s safety and improve your chances of recovering compensation for your damages. No one expects to be involved in a car crash, but keep in mind these recommendations in case you or a loved one is ever in this unfortunate situation.

The first step to take in a car accident is to call the police and seek medical treatment, even if you aren’t injured, you may have a concussion or whiplash and still require medical treatment. Contacting the police will create a report of the accident that can be used in your car accident claim. After contacting the authorities, if possible, move your vehicle to a safe location or to the side of the road. Don’t leave the scene of the accident, take pictures of your injuries, property damage, and anything relevant to the accident that could be used as evidence for your claim. Exchange information with all the parties involved, if there were any witnesses, ask them for their contact information as well. Once you have received medical attention, contact a car accident attorney to discuss your options on recovering compensation to cover for medical bills, property damage, and other expenses incurred from the accident.

Broken windshield

Your windshield plays an important role in your car’s safety, a broken windshield could affect your visibility and cause an accident. If your windshield cracks from flying debris, pull over and check the damage. If the crack is minor and you’re able to see and drive safely, continue to drive to your destination and take the vehicle for repair as soon as possible. If the crack is more severe and it affects your visibility, contact emergency roadside assistance. Driving with limited visibility is not only dangerous to you but also for other drivers on the road.

No one expects to have an emergency while driving, but as drivers, it’s our responsibility to be informed on what actions to take in case we’re ever in one of these situations. Being prepared for the unexpected can make a difference in case of an emergency. You can follow our safety recommendations and keep other safety equipment like a flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, warm blankets, and bottles of water inside your car in case of an emergency.