Car Accident Lawyer in Alexandria Shares What To Do If Your Vehicle Breaks Down

Even if your car seems to be running fine, you can find yourself stranded on the side of the road. Cars can break down unexpectedly at any time and in any place. You may be driving along and suddenly your vehicle starts making an odd sound, riding roughly or even stopping altogether without warning. When this happens, you can feel overwhelmed and scared, especially if you are not familiar with your surroundings. Your safety is the most important concern in this situation. Many times, breakdowns on the interstate can be distracting to other drivers and lead to secondary collisions. To avoid any further damage after your car fails while driving, follow these four safety tips from a car accident lawyer in Alexandria with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys.

1. Contact Help Right Away. The first step after breaking down is to call a tow service or a family member or friend who can come to assist you as soon as possible. Being stuck on the roadside is inconvenient but it is also dangerous. Vehicles pulled off to the side of the highway create a distraction that can result in wrecks and leave you vulnerable to injury if another car collides with yours. The sooner you reach someone who can help, the more quickly you will get out of harm’s way. If at any point you feel threatened or scared for your personal safety, contact local law enforcement.
2. Get Off The Roadway Quickly. The moment you notice you car is acting up or handling in a way that doesn’t feel right, pull your vehicle over and out of the flow of fast moving traffic. This may prevent you being rear-ended and injured if your car were to stall out and it will also give you space to calmly evaluate your situation and how you want to proceed.
3. Make Sure You Are Visible. While you should get out of the travel lanes and pull off to the roadside when your car begin to show signs of trouble, it’s very important to stay in view of the highway and other drivers. Try to find a spot to stop along a long, straight stretch of road to be sure other drivers can still see you in plenty of time to keep a safe distance away from your vehicle or even merge temporarily to the opposite lane as a precaution. Remember to turn on your flashing hazard lights for additional visibility.
4. Remain In Your Vehicle. It is generally best to stay in your car with the windows rolled up and your doors locked unless the temperatures are extremely high or there is an increased risk of being hit due to poor visibility. This is a particularly safe approach if you are travelling alone or in a remote area, or you unfamiliar with your location. An exception to this may be if you are nearby an area that you are very familiar and comfortable navigating or nearby a gas station or other public facility that provides more safety than waiting for help on the side of the road in your car. It is a good idea to choose roadside assistance with your auto insurance plan if it’s available and to keep an emergency kit with items like bottled water, flashlight, snacks, and blankets, in your car at all times.

Protect Your Rights With A Car Accident Lawyer in Alexandria

Just as no one plans to be involved in an auto accident, car breakdowns are unexpected events that can put you at risk for harm if you don’t take steps to protect your safety. Practicing the above safety measures may help you prevent a secondary accident or rear-end collision if you are ever stranded on the roadside or experience mechanical failure while driving down a busy highway. Regardless of how safe we try to be, automobile wrecks will unfortunately still happen. When you are hurt in a crash and you are not at fault, a car accident lawyer in Alexandria, Louisiana can help you determine if you should file a lawsuit and seek compensation. The team at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has more than 25 years of experience in guiding victims through the legal processes to recover financial support for their personal injuries. Contact our Alexandria office now at 318-443-8888 to discuss your claim with one of our injury attorneys at no cost.