As any accident attorney in Orange County can tell you, driving on the roads here in Southern California can be very stressful. With congestion on the freeways when going from North to South Orange County, we see a lot of broken down cars and accidents on the roads. as a car accident lawyer, our office is always looking for ways to help those who find themselves in sticky situations.
Accident Attorney | What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down
As someone who commutes to and from work everyday, I see many broken down cars on the freeway. So I thought, why not write about what to do when your car breaks down on the freeway so people can avoid unnecessary accidents. Anyone can tell you that an unexpected mechanical problem can set the tone for your entire day. Especially if you aren’t sure of what to do after your car breaks down. Below is a checklist of things to do when you find yourself in one of these unexpected situations.
Get Your Car Off the Road
One of the first things to do after your car begins to break down is find a safe place on the side of the road. as a car accident lawyer, we know that if you are in the middle of bumper-to-bumper traffic, this may prove difficult for you. If you are unable to quickly move over, put your hazard lights on so that cars around you know that you are having an issue. When you do reach the side of the road, however, put the car in park, pull the emergency brake, and spin your steering wheel away from the road and traffic. This is so your car does not accidentally roll into oncoming traffic.
Call for Help!
Most people these days have cell phones, so the best thing to do would to call for help. If you have AAA or your car insurance carrier has roadside assistance, contact someone who can come to you to look at your car and hopefully provide you with a tow.
Let Other Drivers Know You Broke Down
As stated before, it is important to put your hazard lights on when you break down on the road. If you can get out of the car safely and you have road flares available (especially at night), place a couple of them about 50 feet away from your car. Raising the hood and checking the engine is a good idea as well.
Stay With Your Car!
This is very important. Do NOT leave your car alone. This is for a couple of reasons. First, if you called for roadside assistance, they will not be able to do anything with your vehicle without you present. and second and most important, highways are dangerous for people on foot. You are in far more danger if you decide to walk away from and leave your vehicle if cars around you are going 60-70mph on the highway.
Don’t Try to Fix It Yourself
Unless you know what is going on with your car or you have experience fixing what is wrong, we urge you to leave it up to the people who are trained and have experience with fixing a car. for example, if you don’t have experience changing a tire, it can be tricky. Even under ideal conditions. If you do know how to change a tire, we urge you to be cautious in doing so on a busy highway.
We know that these are just some basic tips, however, we hope that they will help you out if you ever find yourself in a bind on the road.
Suffering from Injuries? Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If you are suffering from injuries due to the negligence of another, you have rights. as an accident attorney in Orange County we are here to help you in any way we can. If you or a family member are suffering, please do not hesitate to contact us at (949) 234-6034. Consultations with one of our attorneys are free!
