People use cars daily without a thought of a possible breakdown.
Automobiles are the main source of transportations for millions of Americans. They are just thought of as being reliable and dependable.
The strained economic times we now face mean that people have been putting extra miles on their vehicles before buying a new one. Putting a lot of miles on the vehicle creates wear and tear on the motor and its components.
It is important to keep the vehicle well maintained in order to decrease the risk of breaking down. Breaking down on the road can be dangerous. Many times vehicle breakdowns cause traffic accidents in Wisconsin. If ever your car breaks down, it is important to know what to do. These are a few things you can do if you break down that will help keep you safe:
- Get to safety. If your vehicle breaks down while driving, it is important to stay calm and get to a safe spot. Use your momentum to get to the shoulder of the road. Be sure to use your blinkers—and hand signals if necessary—to let other vehicles know you are pulling over.
- Use your hazard lights. The first thing you should do after making it to the side of the road is to turn on your hazard lights. Before operating any vehicle you are going to be driving, make it part of your routine to make sure you know where the hazard lights are located.
- Exit vehicle cautiously. Alert all passengers of the situation and let them know you are going to be exiting the vehicle. Exit on the passenger side and stand away from any traffic. If you feel there is no safe place to stand away from traffic, call the police for assistance.
- Contact roadside assistance. It is always a good idea to join some sort of roadside assistance plan for times such as these. If you are a member of an automobile club or similar organization, call your contact number now.
Breaking down on the side of the road can be a very dangerous situation. If you have been involved in an accident due to a vehicle breakdown, contact a Wisconsin car crash attorney at Hupy and Abraham for a free consultation. Hupy and Abraham maintains seven offices across Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. With one call they can direct you to an experienced attorney at your closest office. Call them today at 920-593-5050 (local) or 800-800-5678 (toll-free) and be sure to request your FREE copy of their book, The Ultimate Guide for Automobile Accident Victims.
