Updated on May 23, 2019.
Let’s face it: you might be the world’s safest driver, but you can still get into an accident. Even if you follow all the rules of the road exactly, that doesn’t mean that everyone else will. With an average of 6,000,000 car accidents occurring each year in the United States, it’s fair to say that if the average person is not prepared out on the road, he could easily find himself in a dangerous situation with no way to signal for help, do a simple repair, or record damages.
Many people rely on their cell phones or a roadside assistance service to save them in the event of an emergency. Those options can certainly rescue you if you’re in a populated region, but what if you’re out in the middle of nowhere, you just got in an accident with another car, and your cell phone is dead? Unless you have a fully stocked automobile accident kit, you might be in a dire situation.
An emergency kit should include items that can help you out in almost any type of automobile accident, whether it is a flat tire, a dented fender, or even a totaled car. Be sure to keep these items available:
- Jumper Cables: Having jumper cables handy can be helpful if your car battery has lost its juice. At the very least, getting a jump from a kind motorist passing by can help you get to the next service station.
- First-Aid Kit: For everyday wounds, a first-aid kit is an essential piece of any emergency kit. Make sure it is stocked with gauze, bandages, and any necessary medications so you’ll be safe if you end up being stranded for a long period of time.
- Tool Kit: A hammer, screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, and pliers can make a massive difference if you need to make a minor repair to part of your car.
- Phone Charger: If your battery is still working, make sure you have a spare phone charger available. If you can use your phone, you can call emergency services, roadside assistance, or a friend to come pick you up from the side of the road.
- Flares and Reflective Gear: Flares and reflective triangles are vital for signaling to other drivers that there is a hazard nearby.
- Camera: A small, disposable camera can be extremely helpful if you’ve been in an accident with another car and need to take pictures of any damages.
- Flashlight: Without a flashlight, what are you going to do if you’re stopped at night? Especially if you’re in an area with little street lighting, it’s best not to solely rely on your sense of hearing when diagnosing problems with your car.
- Multi-Tool: The benefit of a multi-tool is in the name-it can solve multiple problems at once. Just like having a tool kit with all the essentials readily available, a multi-tool is especially convenient if you need immediate and portable access to a mini-screwdriver, a knife, a hammer, or other tools.
- Blankets: If it’s raining, snowing, or you just need something to be comforted with, a blanket will work. It’s also handy to have available if you need to sleep for a few hours.
- GPS Device: Obviously, a GPS is going to save you a lot of trouble if you don’t already know where you are. It can help you keep track of your exact location if you happen to be traveling through an area without cell phone reception.
- Emergency Rations: An energy bar or a snack can be a lifesaver if you have to spend several hours on the side of the road. Don’t forget to stay hydrated with lots of water as well.
- Duct Tape: A roll of duct tape can be useful in many different circumstances for repairs and maintenance. It may not be the most elegant solution, but it gets the job done in a pinch.
- Fire Extinguisher: A small, portable fire extinguisher could be the one thing that stands between life and death if there is a fire in your car.
- Seatbelt Cutter and Window Breaker: if you are in a collision and are unable to remove your seatbelt or exit your vehicle through the doors, having both a seatbelt cutter and a window-breaking tool can be critical. Once you use them to get out of your vehicle, be sure to immediately get to a safe place.
Having an automobile accident kit could save your life, your family members, or a stranger. But after you’ve used your seatbelt cutter to escape from a dangerous situation, what happens next? If you’re involved in a car accident in Boulder and sustained a serious injury, you might have steep medical expenses, a loss of future earning potential, and permanent damage to your vehicle. Our team at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, has won financial compensation to cover all of these expenses for clients in the past, and we are dedicated to helping accident victims determine their best legal options.
At the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, we understand that the circumstances for every car accident are different. Call our office at (303) 665-2929 for a free consultation and to learn more about how you can secure your future and heal. We have offices in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.