3 Emergency Situations Every Driver Has to Be Able to Deal with

Preparing for unexpected emergencies can help drivers stay calm, act quickly, and save lives. While no one can predict precisely when an emergency might occur, there are some everyday situations that all drivers should be ready to handle.

Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC, an experienced personal injury law firm in Philadelphia, shares three emergency scenarios that every driver needs to be aware of.

Being Involved in a Car Accident

One of the most frightening situations drivers may encounter is being involved in a car accident, yet they happen more than we think. There was an 11% increase in car accidents in 2022, with 46,027 fatalities and 5.2 million medically consulted injuries.

Following a car accident, remain calm. Do not admit fault or argue. Provide an accurate record of what occurred to the police and your insurance company. Seek medical help even for minor injuries that may worsen over time. Once you are safe, contact experienced car accident lawyers for advice. While frightening, properly handling a car accident scene helps minimize further issues and ensures everyone involved gets the required assistance.

Your Car is Running Out of Gas

Running out of fuel while driving is easily preventable with some planning. However, it can still happen occasionally, and the AAA responded to 194,317 calls from drivers who had done exactly that in the first four months of 2021.

If you realize your fuel tank is nearing empty, stay calm. Let the car coast and pull over as soon as safely possible. If the engine sputters and dies while driving, you may lose power steering and brake support, so grip the wheel firmly and pump the brakes to slow down.

Guide the car over to the shoulder and turn on your hazards. Call for roadside assistance or a friend to bring gas. While waiting, leave the car in park with the parking brake on and only run the battery when necessary. Raise the hood and turn on interior lights to signal you need help. Remain inside the locked car if possible.

To avoid running out of gas in the future, pay attention to your fuel gauge and don’t let the tank get too low.

Always Be Prepared for a Car Breakdown

There are around 189,000 breakdowns each day in the US, which leads to 30 million lost workdays a year and costs the economy 0.18% of GDP.

Vehicle breakdowns, such as an overheated engine or dead battery, can happen without warning. But by regularly maintaining your car, you can minimize breakdowns. If your engine overheats, turn the air conditioning off immediately and turn the heat on high. Carefully pull over and let the engine idle until it cools down. Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot.

If the check engine light comes on or your car loses power while driving, slowly make your way to the shoulder. A dead battery will require a jump start from another car or roadside assistance. Engage the parking brake, put on your hazards, and call for help. Wait inside the locked car and only use battery power when essential.

Staying calm and knowing what to do in case of a breakdown can help you handle the situation safely until you can get assistance.

Being prepared with the right tools and knowledge empowers drivers to deal with these three common roadside emergencies. Staying calm and acting deliberately is key. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation on the road can help avoid panic, ensure safety, and minimize complications until help arrives. With the proper preparation, even major emergencies can be managed.