Stay Safe By Stocking Your Car With The Essentials

Every year there 5.5 million traffic accidents and 2.3 million injuries, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration. Millions more experience breakdowns, flat tires, dead batteries, and other difficult scenarios where they become stranded or at least seriously, and unnecessarily, stressed out. While we can take safety precautions to decrease our chances of crashing, what can we do to minimize the other hassles of driving such as getting stuck in the snow? The answer is to have the knowledge and the equipment in your car to get yourself out of these scenarios. However, if you have been injured by a negligent driver, contact an experienced car accident attorney at once for legal advice.

Be Prepared For Flat Tires

Changing a tire can be a daunting undertaking, especially if you have never dealt with a flat tire before. It is best to learn in a controlled, quiet environment such as your garage or parked on a quiet street. Performing under pressure for the first time on the side of a busy freeway makes for an extra stressful tire change. In addition to the knowledge required to fix a flat, there are three items that you must have with you to change a tire: the spare tire, a tire iron, and a car jack. All of these items are likely in your vehicle already, but if not, they are something that you depend on sooner or later.

Jumper Cables and Battery Boosters For Those Times You Leave the Lights On Overnight

When you leave a set of headlights or even the cabin light on overnight, you can expect to wake up to a dead battery. A set of jumper cables and a good samaritan offer a quick fix, though a battery booster can solve the problem even without the aid of a helpful stranger. In both scenarios, you must know how to use the jumper cables or battery booster. Learning is pretty simple, but necessary to avoid injury to you and damage to your car.

Emergencies, Breakdowns, and Getting Stranded

If you have a breakdown, including a flat tire, you may need to make use of a reflective triangle or flares. Likewise, if you are involved in an accident and need to administer first aid, being prepared makes all the difference. Carry the following items in the trunk of your car or the rear of your vehicle at all times. Some items, such as a flashlight, tire gauge, seat belt cutter, and window breaker need to be more easily accessible in case of an emergency.

• First aid kit;
• Flashlight;
• Matches or lighter;
• Chains for snowy conditions;
• Emergency blanket (wool or synthetic fiber is best);
• Spare jacket, gloves, hat, and other warm clothes;
• Mechanic tools if you have mechanical experience;
• Multi-tool;
• Knife;
• Emergency food such as energy bars, canned goods, and dry dog food;
• Two or more gallons of water;
• Seat belt cutter;
• Window breaker;
• Flares;
• Reflective triangle; and
• Reflective vest.

If you have been injured in a car collision, contact an experienced car accident attorney today at the law offices of Gillette Law, P.A. at 888-366-5904. We serve Jacksonville, Florida and Brunswick, Georgia.