It's summer - and that means that many of us will be packing up and jumping the car to embark on a road trip for fun in the sun and family bonding. If a road trip is in your plans for this season, don't forget about planning for the unexpected, such as accidents or emergencies. You never know when something unexpected can happen, and being completely prepared will allow you to handle the situation as best as you can.
While none of us expect a car accident to happen when we go on vacation, it certainly can occur, especially when there is an influx of vehicles on the road. Firstly, be sure to drive safely and carefully on your trip. If there are many people in the car, try to avoid distractions as much as possible to keep everyone safe.
If you do find yourself in a car accident, don't panic. Here are some guidelines on what to do next if you do find yourself in a car accident during your road trip:
- First, make sure that everyone is ok. If there is an injury that needs medical attention, call for help right away.
- If possible, move your vehicle out of the way of other traffic and always take caution when exiting your vehicle.
- Call the police, regardless of the severity of the accident. A police report will aid you later on for any insurance claims that need to be made.
- Be sure to document any damage with photos and notes.
- Retrieve the driver's information and insurance information of the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident.
- If your car is still drivable, it is up to you whether or not to continue on or turn back around home.
- If your vehicle isn't drivable, call for a tow truck and find an auto repair shop that is near by. If you're very far from home, you may have to weigh your options for how to go about getting home or getting your vehicle back to your city.
These tips are just to help you prepare for this instance, although we hope that you never have to experience this and that your road trip is a breeze!