Many of us love getting out on the roads and taking our cars or different vehicles for a spin. We enjoy the thrill of travelling as fast as the limits will allow and racing towards a new destination. The excitement of the situation makes us forget about the dangers involved. A lot can wrong on the roads. You may find that you break down at the side of the highway. Or, you could be stopped by the police for breaking the law. You might even accidentally hit a pedestrian.
It’s true to say that a pleasant drive could fast turn into a neverending nightmare if you encounter any one of these situations. That’s why it’s important to know what to do and how to handle yourself when this type of situation arises. On this post, you’re going to discover some of the road’s worst case scenarios and how to handle them in the best way possible. Let’s start with the simple case of how to avoid breaking down at the side of the road.
Breaking Down
If your car breaks down at the side of the road, it’s important that you put your hazard lights on. Do not wait inside your car no matter what the weather is like, as this could be dangerous. Instead, wait a good distance, away from the road but in a place where you can still see. Then ring a recovery team. It’s advisable to have a recovery team number on your phone programmed on speed dial. You should be familiar with whatever team you are using and trust them completely. The worst part of a breakdown is often the wait, particularly if you are in the middle of nowhere. But you will find it a lot easier if you trust the company to deliver.
You may want to have a look and see if you can fix the breakdown problem yourself. In most cases, a breakdown is caused by simple situations that can be fixed. For instance, you might have run down the battery in your car. If that’s the case, you might be able to call a friend or get a passing car to jump start it. Or, you might have a flat tyre. You should know how to change a tyre. If you don’t, we suggest that you familiarise yourself with the procedure as soon as possible. That said, if it is a serious problem with the engine, you might want to leave it to the professionals. This type of repair could be rather dangerous.
Perhaps the best way of dealing with a break down is to avoid it in the first place. You can do this by checking your car regularly for any signs of danger. Give your wheels a firm kick each before you drive to make sure they have enough air. Also, make sure that you are checking the water and oil levels on a regular basis. These little checks could save you a few hours at the side of the road in the near future.
Car Accident
Car accidents can be incredibly traumatic experiences for everyone involved. The first thing that you will need to do is check that everyone in the car is okay and not injured. If they are, you will then need to determine whether it is safe to leave the vehicle. If it is safe, it’s best to wait a good distance away from the vehicle with your passengers for help to arrive. You should avoid confronting or being confronted by other drivers involved with the accident. However, you may need to switch insurance information. If you think a car that was involved has driven away, do your best to get their license plate. You should be trying to remember as much information as you can about the accident so that you can help officials.
You may believe that you were not responsible for the accident. The accident might have been caused by a negligent driver and in this scenario, you should be thinking about contacting a lawyer. They can help you understand your case and claim damages for any injuries or costs that you have suffered. Car accident attorneys can help you with this issue and make sure that you get the proper legal representation. They will argue the case for you but to help them you should be able to give them an accurate account of the accident.
That said, while legal considerations are important this should be the last thing that you consider. You first need to make sure that everyone involved leaves the accident safely and is treated where necessary.
Hitting A Pedestrian
If you are in a vehicle, and you hit a pedestrian, it’s important that you do complete first aid. That’s why it’s advisable for everyone to know this skill. If you don’t know first aid, you might want to learn as it could save someone’s life in the near future. You should also call the emergency services and make sure they are at the scene as soon as possible. It may be necessary for you also to call the police.
You should never leave the scene after hitting a pedestrian, even if they claim to be uninjured. It’s quite possible that their injuries will not show until much later. If you knocked them down, they may already be suffering from a concussion and need medical help.
It’s also important for you to be aware that hitting a pedestrian does not automatically make the accident your fault. If it was dark and the pedestrian was not wearing visibility clothing, there may have been a limited chance of you seeing them. You will need a good lawyer to argue your case if the matter goes to court.
Stopped By The Police
Finally, it can be terrifying to get stopped and pulled over by the police on the road. It’s important to remember a few things in this, particular scenario. Firstly, you should obey the officer’s completely no matter how out of order you may believe them to be. If you think you were poorly treated, a lawyer will argue this at a later stage. You also need to be aware that you are under no obligation to stop for an unmarked car until you think it is safe. Lastly, be aware that a police officer will not always stop a car for an offense. It could be a random check so don’t panic, stay calm.
