What To
Do When You Are Involved In A Car Accident
Stop at the place where the accident occurred.
Turn off the ignitions of the cars involved.
Check if anyone needs a first aid treatment.
Call the police and, if needed, emergency medical services.
Mark the scene of the accident with flares or retro reflective
triangles.
Take down the names of all persons in the motor vehicles
and people who witnessed the accident.
Build a quick diagram of where the vehicle occupants were
seated and note the vehicles' direction of travel and lane.
Note the date, time, and weather conditions.
Write down the other party's driver's license number.
Exchange insurance company information. Do not make statements
about the accident to anyone but the police.
Do not forget to secure a copy of the police report.
Report the incident to your insurance company.
What To
Do If Your Car Catches On Fire
Signal your intentions and move to the right lane.
Get onto the shoulder or breakdown lane.
Stop immediately.
Shut off the engine.
Get yourself and all other persons out of the vehicle.
Get far away from the vehicle and stay away from it. Keep
onlookers and others away.
Warn oncoming traffic.
Notify the fire department.
Don't attempt to try to put out the fire yourself. An
unexpected danger is the possible ignition of fuel in the
vehicle's tank.
What To
Do When Your Brakes Fail
At the initial sign of problem, do not panic. Instead,
work your vehicle into the right lane and then toward the
shoulder or, if possible, toward an exit. If there is a
need to change lanes, do so but very smoothly and carefully,
while watching your mirrors and the traffic around you very
closely.
Use directional signal to show your intentions to other
drivers. When you get to the right lane, turn on your emergency
hazard lights.
Take your foot off the gas to gradually slow the car down.
As your vehicle slows, simply steer and shift into a lower
gear to let the engine help slow the car.
Once off the traveled roadway, slowly apply the parking
brake until the vehicle stops. If that brake has also failed,
rub the wheel against a curb to slow down. Get the car off
the roadway to a safe place to avoid stopping traffic or
being involved in a rear-end collision.
When safely off the road, put out warning signs like flares
or reflective triangles beside and behind your vehicle to
warn other drivers. Keep your emergency flashers going.
Raise your hood and tie something white to the radio antenna
or hang it out the window so police officers or tow truck
operators will know you need help. Don't stand behind or
next to your vehicle; if possible, stay away from the vehicle
and wait for help to arrive.
It is not recommended to walk on an expressway. However,
if you can see a source of help and are able to reach it
on foot, try the direct approach by walking but keep as
far from traffic as possible.
Finally, do not attempt to drive your vehicle, no matter
how slowly, without brakes. Ask for help to get the vehicle
towed and then have the brakes repaired by a qualified mechanic.
What To
Do If Your Car Breaks Down On The Highway
At the first sign of car trouble, slowly take your foot
off the accelerator. Do not brake abruptly.
Carefully work your vehicle in the direction of the breakdown
lane or the side of the road. If you are on an expressway,
try to reach an exit. Signal your intentions to drivers
behind you.
Once off the road, make your car visible. Put flares,
warning flags, or reflectorized triangles behind your vehicle
to warn other drivers.
If you have a flat tire, be certain that you can change
it safely without being close to traffic. If that is possible,
change the tire as you normally would. Remember, safety
must take priority over your schedule or whatever other
concerns you may have.
However, when the car is beyond repair, it is best to
get professional help.
Raise your hood and tie something white to the radio
antenna or hang it out a window so police officers or tow
truck operators will know help is needed. Stand away from
the vehicle and wait for help to arrive.
If your car is safely out of traffic, wait inside the
vehicle with the doors locked. If someone stops and offers
to help, open the window slightly and ask them to call the
police.
Watch for a uniformed police officer or other emergency
personnel
It is not advisable to walk on an expressway especially
during inclement weather. However, if you can reach a source
of help on foot, without jeopardizing your physical safety,
try the direct approach by walking. Keep as far from traffic
as possible and walk on the right side of the roadway. Never
attempt to cross a multi-lane, high-speed roadway.
