How to Stay Safe in a Roadside Emergency with a Disabled Vehicle

Have you ever had the experience of driving along the highway when all of a sudden something goes terribly wrong with your vehicle? Suddenly, it is quite clear to you that you had better pull over to the side of the road and see what is going on before your vehicle breaks down right where you are. You should know that by stopping your car by the side of the highway with cars speeding past at 60 to 80 miles per hour makes you a sitting target and there is a significant chance that you could be injured or killed if you are not extremely cautious.

You have likely also been in the opposite position of driving along the highway and seeing a stranded motorist by the side of the road working on their car or waiting for roadside assistance. You may have wondered how safe that driver would be until help arrived.

It is not uncommon for a motorist who is stranded on the roadside with a disabled vehicle to be hit by another vehicle on the highway and suffer serious injuries and even death.

Staying safe when you are dealing with a roadside emergency

Regardless of whether it was engine trouble or a flat tire that caused you to pull over to the side of a busy highway, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that you stay safe and alive:

• Pull your vehicle over as far to the right as possible given the terrain.
• Make note of your location on the roadway so that you can communicate it to those who are coming to assist you.
• Determine what has gone wrong with your vehicle.
• Turn on your flashers.
• Remain inside your vehicle until help arrives.

AAA has a free publication that gives complete checklists and tips for what to do when your vehicle breaks down.

Injuries from roadside crashes

If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury in a roadside crash caused by the negligence of another driver, you may have legal options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and property damage. At the law firm of Bailey & Greer, our experienced Memphis auto accident attorneys understand how to try these types of cases and come to successful resolutions on behalf of our injured clients. We offer free consultations where we can evaluate your case and inform you of your legal options for recovering compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and any other losses you may suffer as a result of the crash.

Have you been injured in a car crash caused by the negligence of another driver? At the law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are here to answer your questions and offer legal advice pertaining to the facts of your specific case. We invite you to contact us or call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a consultation with one of our Memphis or Jackson auto accident attorneys to discuss your case.