How To Prepare For An Accident Before It Happens

Know how to drive in an emergency situation

The first thing you can do to protect yourself during an accident is to understand how to drive during certain common mechanical failures. The AARP gives readers a comprehensive set of tips that are specialized to different issues, but there are a common set of strategies you should mentally practice to make sure you are attentive if something like a tire blowout or jammed accelerator happens:

• Concentrate on maintaining control over your steering, and try to keep the vehicle straight and under control.
• Decelerate in as controlled a manner as possible.
• Keep your eyes on the road so you can respond to hazards as you work to bring the car to a stop.

For other problems, such as brake failure, aggressive pumping of the brakes can be helpful.

Preparing to respond to an accident

The other part of accident preparedness is knowing what you need to do if there is an accident and having the right tools on hand to follow through. That means:

• Making sure accurate, up-to-date registration and insurance paperwork is in the vehicle.
• Your cell phone is secured for the ride, but powered up and ready in case you need to call 911.
• You have a preferred garage in mind in case of repairs.
• You have a previously planned towing solution, such as towing coverage on your vehicle.
• All your vehicle’s safety features are maintained in proper working order.

These might seem like simple preparatory tips, but when disaster strikes, having the right set of tools on hand often means making the right decisions without having to take the time to think about them. That can make a big difference.

If you have been hurt in a car accident that was caused by someone else, you need to talk to an experienced and knowledgeable attorney because there are often ways for you to recover the costs of your medical care and the repairs to your vehicle. Your attorney will also be able to advise you on the finer details of your case.