Driving on the highway can be stressful enough, but when something goes wrong with your car it can be a nail biting experience. Not only can a breakdown be inconvenient, but it can be scary and dangerous. Because of the high speeds vehicles are traveling, a highway breakdown can be a life threatening event.
Regardless of whether you are on Interstate 95 or Highway 1, drivers need to know how to handle their vehicles that break down. Do you know how to get out of the way safely so that you don’t cause a Fort Lauderdale auto accident? Here is a list of things you should do and shouldn’t do following a breakdown:
Do:
- Immediately use your emergency hazard lights
- Pull over onto the shoulder if it is safe to do so
- Leave the headlights and hazard lights on when pulled over
- Have an emergency kit in the car so you can put out flares or reflective triangles
- Use your cellphone to call emergency personnel such as police and a tow truck driver
Don’t:
- Stomp on your brakes suddenly
- Stand next to or behind your car
- Try to flag someone down for help
Because other vehicles are flying by at fast highway speeds, an interstate breakdown in Florida can be stressful and dangerous, which is why it is important to exercise extreme caution if your vehicle starts puttering. Don’t ignore a sound, smell, or feeling that isn’t normal for your car as it could be an indicator of a breakdown in the near future. This is why regular maintenance is critical to your vehicle’s safe operation.
Depending on where you break down on the road, you may not want to exit your vehicle. Typically, on interstates and highways when there is high traffic traveling at fast speeds, it is recommended that drivers stay inside their vehicles and wait for a tow truck or police officer. Staying inside your car as far off to the side of the road as possible will greatly decrease your risk of a traffic accident, injury, or death.
If a driver has smashed into your car after you suddenly have had car trouble, you should seek medical help and legal assistance. For a free consultation, please contact the Law Office of David Benenfeld to find out your rights. You can get your questions answered and find out what are the next steps you need to take by speaking with an experienced accident attorney in South Florida.
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