Has Your Car Died While On The Road? How To Prevent An Accident
If you are driving your car and it suddenly dies on you, you may have a lot of thoughts racing through your mind. You may wonder what is wrong with the car, where you should take it, and how much this is going to cost you. You may be thinking about being late for work or the errand you were trying to run. However, if this happens to you, one of the first things that you should think about is your safety and the safety of other individuals on the road. A car that is stalled can be a road hazard, and a driver not paying attention may hit you. Here are a few tips to follow if your car has died while on the road.
Turn on Your Emergency Flashers
If your car has died, the first thing you will want to do is to turn on your emergency flashers. This lets cars that are behind you and to the side of you know that there is a problem with your car. This can prevent a car from slamming into the back of your car when a light turns green. Your flashers also help to make your car stand out on a rainy or foggy day, helping to prevent an accident as well.
Get the Car to the Side of the Road
After turning on your emergency flashers, the next thing you will want to do is get your car onto the side of the road or the shoulder. You do not want to leave your car in the middle of traffic. You are more likely to be hit with your car in the middle of traffic than you are by pulling your car to the side of the road. Additionally, you are impeding traffic by leaving your car there, which may be a reason to receive a traffic ticket. In some cases, you may still be able to coast or glide to the side of the road after your car has died. If you can, do this. If you cannot, your car will need to be pushed. When getting your car to the side of the road, try to push it to a straight portion of the road, rather than a curve. This also helps to keep your car noticeable.
Remain in the Car and Call for a Tow Truck
Once your car is on the side of the road, you will want to call a tow truck as quickly as possible. When you are calling and waiting, remain in your car. Many people want to stand outside of the car, but you are safer sitting in the car and waiting. The car helps to block flying road debris and offers some protection from out of control cars.
If your car has died while on the road, take the time to follow the above tips. They can help prevent an auto accident, which helps to keep you and your car safe while also helping to keep your auto insurance rates as low as possible. Talk to an agent at companies like Mid-Alliance Insurance Associates LLC for more tips.