Staying Safe When Your Car Won’t Run After an Accident or Breakdown

Imagine you’re driving along I-10 when a big chunk of tire tread comes off a tractor-trailer in front of you. The debris hits your bumper and jams your wheels, leaving you stuck on the highway. Or picture yourself stopped at a light on Apalachee Parkway. The light turns green, you hit the accelerator, and instead of propelling you forward, your car shuts down.

What should you do when you’re on a busy road, and your car won’t run because of a car accident or breakdown? Although the stoppage puts you in a dangerous position, there are many things you can do that will put you in even greater danger, so you want to avoid those at all costs. Knowing how to stay safe when your car has broken down is something most people don’t think about until it’s too late, so reading this ahead of time can keep you prepared.

Immediate Steps

The first priority is to put yourself in the safest position possible on the road. If your vehicle is still moving, try to use the momentum to coast to the right side of the road. While you can move to the left shoulder if absolutely necessary, the right side is preferable for several reasons. 

The right shoulder usually offers more space to get away from traffic, and traffic in the right lane is usually moving more slowly than in the left lane. It is easier for emergency equipment to reach you when you’re on the right. Moreover, other drivers are more likely to recognize that you’re not moving and to steer around you when you’re on the right side of the road. So, even if you can’t move all the way out of the lane, it is usually wise to move to the right as much as possible.

When your vehicle is stopped and inoperable, it is generally safest to turn off the engine. Engaging the emergency brake can prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic.

Call for Help

If you have your phone or an emergency communication device, use it to call 911. Even if there are no injuries that you know of, if your car or another vehicle is blocking traffic, it is an emergency and first responders need to get to the scene as quickly as possible.

Try to make note of landmarks or signs you can use to describe your position. Cross streets or mileage markers can be very helpful. If you do not feel that you’re in an emergency situation, you can call the Florida Highway Patrol by dialing *347 (star-F-H-P). This is the line for reporting traffic crashes, stranded motorists, or other problems.

Make Yourself Visible

When you are stopped and other traffic is flying all around you, the risk of being hit is tremendous, along with the potential for serious injuries. You can help other drivers see you and avoid a collision by making your stopped vehicle as conspicuous as possible. The easiest way to do that is to turn on your hazard lights so they flash steadily. If you’re stopped at night or during a heavy storm, turning on the dome light will also make your vehicle more visible.

If you have flares, reflective triangles, or other devices, it might make sense to put them out depending on the situation. Exiting the vehicle puts you at risk of serious injury in a collision, so it might be safer to stay inside. If you have something brightly colored that you can tuck in the door or window to call attention to your vehicle, that might be helpful.

Should You Leave the Vehicle?

Most of the time, when you’re in a vehicle that is not operating, but you’re on or near a road with heavy traffic, it is safest to stay inside the vehicle. Your car or truck provides a metal framework that insulates you from impact by other vehicles. You give up that protection if you step outside, even briefly. Try to remain inside with your seatbelt fastened to protect against secondary impacts.

If you see or smell fire or gasoline leaking, however, it is wise to get out of the vehicle on the side farthest from traffic. Crawl to the passenger side or backseat, if necessary, to exit, then move to a safe location, such as the other side of the guardrail. If there is no place to move, avoid standing directly in front of or behind your vehicle, as it could be pushed into you.

Protecting Your Legal Rights

If you’re stranded because of an accident and you are in a safe location, then you may have time to take steps to protect your legal rights. Regardless of who caused the collision, the other driver’s insurance company is likely to argue that you are the one actually at fault. Any evidence you can collect to demonstrate what actually happened could be helpful later. 

You may be able to take photos of the damage (if you can do so from a safe position away from the road), get contact information for witnesses, and record what you remember about the events leading up to the collision. Do not discuss the collision with anyone while waiting for the police to arrive. 

In particular, avoid saying anything that could be used as an admission of fault. Many people say “I’m sorry” to be polite even when they don’t think they’ve done anything wrong. But a polite statement can be used to “prove” that you caused the accident, so it is best to say nothing at all before you’ve talked to an attorney.

Even if you don’t feel hurt, it is a good idea to see the doctor to get an exam and explain that you were involved in a collision. The doctor can look for signs of traumatic injuries that you might not notice in the excitement and anxiety of the situation. Many serious injuries such as brain damage or internal bleeding do not show symptoms until hours, days, or even weeks after the collision. If you notice symptoms later, go back to the doctor.

When You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Accident, Searcy Denney Can Help You Recover Full Compensation

In a perfect world, there would be no car accidents, and cars would never break down on the road. But we know we don’t live in a perfect world. When you’ve been hurt because someone else acted irresponsibly—such as not paying attention while driving—then the team at Searcy Denney Tallahassee may be able to obtain compensation to make up for your losses, including the pain and disruption to your life and peace of mind. For a free consultation to learn what may be possible in your case, call us at 888-549-7011 or contact us online today.