Freezing temperatures, gusty winds, icy patches - winter can be a horrible time to be on the road, especially if you're on holiday and not used to driving in winter conditions. And, it's an even worse time to have a car accident.
But with reduced visibility, slippery roads and maybe even a careless driver or two, accidents are inevitable. So what should you do if you do get into one? Follow these five guidelines to help you stay safe while you wait for help to arrive after a winter car accident:
Respond calmly. Your first instinct after a car accident may be to jump out of the car and give other drivers a piece of your mind. But, given the traffic and road conditions, it may be dangerous for you to get out of your car (and it's never safe to act aggressively towards others). So stay in your car, take a deep breath, turn on your hazard lights and check yourself and others for injuries. Keep in mind that if you are in shock, you may not notice your own injuries at first. If necessary, call 911 for medical and roadside assistance.
Get off the road. If a minor accident leaves your car drivable and no one involved needs emergency first aid, make clearing the roadway your next priority. Make sure all vehicles move off the road to reduce the risk of another accident. Just proceed with caution, especially if visibility is poor. Other drivers on the road need more time to react to slow moving vehicles.
If you cannot leave the road, stay in your car. Walking on the road is extremely dangerous if other cars are present, especially in stormy weather and on slippery roads, making it difficult for drivers to react to unexpected hazards. So stay in your car and fasten your seatbelt, in case another collision occurs. Wait there for assistance and instructions from emergency personnel. Or, if your car is not safe, seek other protection.
Stay visible, stay warm, stay put. Install warning triangles and hazard lights, if you have them. If not, tie a piece of shiny cloth to your antenna or door handle so that your vehicle is visible to others. If you are running the engine to keep warm (make sure your exhaust pipe is not blocked by mud or snow or you may be exposed to carbon monoxide), also turn on your running lights. Your vehicle's emergency kit, filled with blankets, extra clothing and more, will be useful until emergency responders arrive. Staying put is generally safer than going for help - if you leave, you may get lost. Also, leaving the scene of a serious accident can lead to fines.
Collect relevant details and report the accident. After any accident, it is important to exchange insurance information with other drivers, take notes on what happened and even take some photos. Just make sure you don't put yourself at risk to do this. Then contact your insurer to make a claim and your roadside assistance service for help.
What if you come across an accident involving other people? As long as they are not in immediate danger, your best bet is probably to call 911 and let the appropriate local authorities respond. Stopping to help could cause additional problems, such as distracting other drivers and causing an accident yourself.
Remember that winter driving can be as unpredictable as the weather. So keep your phone charged and your fuel tank full, and slow down to allow more time to respond - you need it when the roads are slippery!
إرسال تعليق