South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
Most Floridians will be doing their fair share of traveling within the next few weeks. It’s the holiday travel season and everyone will be out heading to and from gatherings with friends and family members.
For many of these trips, we’ll have to hop on the Interstate, whether it’s Interstate 95, Interstate 75 or Interstate 4.
The truth of the matter is that these roadways are dangerous, not only when you’re driving along them, but in the unfortunate event that you experience a breakdown. Regardless of what kind of car you have or how new it is, breakdowns can happen. For this reason, everyone needs to be prepared, needs to know how to stay safe and needs to have a plan in place.
Our Lantana personal injury lawyers encourage you to prepare before setting out. We’re also here to offer your some preventative measures to help to keep you out of these kinds of situations and we’re here to offer you with safety tips should you become stranded amid a see of passing motorists.
Before heading out, you want to make sure you’ve taken all of the proper safety precautions you can to make sure your vehicle is in traveling condition. Before heading out on a long trip, consider having it checked out by a mechanic. You’re urged to check the fluids under the hood. Make sure they’re all fresh and full. You also want to take a peek at your tire pressure. Make sure that all of your tires are filled and match the vehicle’s specifications, which are typically found on the inside of the driver’s door and may differ from the specifications printed on the side of the tire.
You’re going to want to fill up before you head out, too. You don’t want to run low on gas out there. There’s no telling where the nearest gas station will be.
Breakdown Safety Tips:
-If you get stuck on the side of a busy roadway, don’t get out of the car. If you can, get your vehicle to a safe location or wait it out and call for assistance.
-Always keep a roadside emergency kit with you. Make sure you have reflective triangles, flares, blankets, flashlights, jumper cables, antifreeze, band-aids and water and nonperishable food items.
-If you get a flat tire, just ride on the rim (slowly) until you get to a safe area. Even if driving on a flat means the wheel itself is damaged, it is far more important you ensure your personal safety.
-Put your hood up. That’s the international sign for “help.”
-If someone approaches your vehicles who you do not know, do not open the door for them. Simply crack your window and ask them to call for help.
-If you see an emergency call box and need to use it, make sure you can get to and from it safely before using it.
All too often, victims of breakdowns on the side of the road are injured by passing vehicles. These victims might believe that other drivers can see them, but the truth of the matter is that the other drivers can be distracted or just can’t see. Stay safe out there, prep your car for road trips and be ready in the event of a breakdown.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the personal injury lawyers at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777 today!
More Blog Entries:
Passengers: Increasing Your Teen’s Risks for an Accident, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, October 19, 2012
Broward Traffic Safety: Protecting Children Near Our Roadways, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, September 28, 2012