By getting your car ready for your vacation trip you may avoid getting stranded in a dangerous area says Philadelphia car accident injury lawyer Rand Spear.
With Memorial Day behind us it’s unofficially summer. With warmer weather, a fairly strong economy and reasonably priced gasoline there will be many, many drivers on the road, not all of them prepared for the trip. The American Automobile Association (AAA) expects to get calls from 7 million American motorists suffering car trouble this summer, according to a new survey. Philadelphia car accident lawyer Rand Spear says if this trouble happens in the wrong place at the wrong time those in a stranded vehicle can be at a high risk of being in an accident.
AAA stated most of those stranded drivers will be dealing with dead batteries, flat tires and keys locked inside their vehicles, according to Fox News. AAA’s survey results are that,
- Four out of ten drivers are not prepared for breakdowns though three-quarters of all family vacationers plan to travel by car.
- Two-thirds of car owners have never had their car battery tested, and
- One out of five drivers don’t know how to change a tire.
Higher heat, driving more miles and traffic jams take their toll on vehicles, causing overheating engines, tire blowouts and dead batteries. AAA suggests vehicle owners schedule a vehicle checkup by a mechanic before taking summer road trips. Drivers should also carry an extra set of keys and pack an emergency kit, including a phone charger, flashlight, first-aid kit and jumper cables.
Breaking down out of the blue can be a huge inconvenience. Getting towed and unexpected repairs can also cost a lot of money. More importantly a broken down car located where it may be hit by other vehicles, especially at a time when visibility is bad or when other drivers may be fatigued or distracted (such as at night or in rainy conditions), carries a high risk of being involved in an accident.
The Washington State Patrol has these suggestions if your car breaks down,
- If it’s in the middle of traffic and you can’t get to the side of the road, call 911 and stay in the vehicle until help arrives so you and your vehicle can be moved safely off the road.
- If you can get to the shoulder or off-ramp, move it as far to the right as possible.
- Put on your emergency flashers on so others can see your vehicle.
- If you can arrange for a tow truck wait in the vehicle until it arrives. This would be safer that having you and your passengers possibly walking into a travel lane.
- If you must exit the vehicle, don’t turn your back to traffic and always be aware of your surroundings.
- If you abandon your vehicle, call 911 to notify law enforcement and explaining what happened and your contact information. You could also leave a note in the vehicle. This will allow officers to contact you in case the vehicle needs to be removed immediately.
When it comes to travelling this summer, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of car repairs. Make sure your vehicle is safe to drive this summer. You may save yourself, your passengers and fellow motorists from an accident and serious injuries or deaths.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident involving disabled vehicle, don’t wait to speak to a personal injury lawyer about your case. Protect your rights – contact us on the web or call Philadelphia and New Jersey car accident lawyer Rand Spear today at 877-GET-RAND.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form