Getting into a car accident with the entire family in the vehicle is probably about the worst thing you could imagine that could happen to you. At the very least, it’s in the top five. And while it definitely doesn’t help to dwell on negativity and stress over potential outcomes, it does help to be prepared.
The more you know about car accidents, the more you’ll be able to keep your family safe in the event one occurs. There are a lot of things to cover, so buckle up and enjoy the ride. In this post, we’re going to review the basics to prevent a car accident – and what you need to do if you find yourself in one. You may want to steer towards the more optimistic side of life, but you should know that the more you drive, the more chances you have to get into a car accident, even if it’s just a fender bender.
So, let’s review what you need to know about car accidents to keep your family safe.
Car seat safety
Before you even go out to drive, you should always be aware of how your kids are doing. This would include making sure they are properly buckled in and if their car seat is safe and if they are in the proper type of seat such as a car seat or a booster seat. Be sure to follow all car seat laws that your state enforces. There are so many variables that remain flexible with car seat safety, so it’s always best to look for the most current information.
You must also remember that car seats expire. You know how quickly technology changes, right? In the near future, there’s a chance we’re going to have all autonomous cars on the road. That’s how fast things are changing in our lifetimes. But just like car technology and safety changes, so does car seat safety.
As vehicles change, so do the car seats. This is necessary to account for things like side airbags and the like. This is why it’s not usually a good idea to buy a used car seat for your vehicle. And if you think about it, you might save a few bucks, but it’s definitely not worth the risk.
Preventing an accident
One of the best things you can do to prevent an accident is to avoid distracted driving. Texting while driving is a major distraction that people face today. But it’s not the only one. Make a habit out of keeping your eyes on the road and avoid driving when you’re tired. The effects of drowsy driving can be devastating, so it’s always best to pull over and take a nap if you’re feeling tired. You may get there an hour later, but that hour is better than the disastrous effects of a car accident.
Handling the accident
First and foremost, it’s important to remain as calm as you can for the sake of yourself and your family. If you start freaking out now, it’ll only cause more problems down the line. Here are some tips to immediately handle the situation.
Evaluate how you are doing. Are you well enough to care for anyone else? If not, call for help immediately. It’s tempting to want to check on the kids first, but you have to be ok to be able to take care of them.
Check on the kids and other passengers. Speak calm and soothing words to your children, and if anyone is injured in any way, call for help.
Find a safe spot to pull over. Now that you have a good handle on everyone’s situation, pull over to a safe place and get out of the vehicle to exchange information with the other driver. Do not admit fault or place blame.
After the accident
Make notes of the situation. This part is important as you want to know several specifics of the accident, such as the date, time, location, road, traffic, and weather conditions.
At this point, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance company. You may also want to consider giving a call to a car accident attorney – especially if there are injuries. When you call the insurance company to report the accident, they’ll want to take a statement from you. And if you’ve consulted a lawyer, he or she may have given you some advice on this step.
Have you ever been in a car accident with your family? If so, how did you manage the situation?
Speak Your Mind