With five million registered vehicles in the Houston area, a flat tire, stall, or even a minor wreck can instantly go from inconvenient to tragic. According to Houston TranStar, for every minute a motorist is stopped on a freeway, the risk of being seriously injured or killed increases dramatically, and the chance of a secondary crash increases by nearly 3% every minute. This risk is furthered by cell phone use and large trucks obstructing the view of other drivers. What you do in the moments following can be the difference between making it home or not.
Below are a few safety tips for drivers who find themselves in this situation:
Pull off the road. Do not attempt to check on or assess damage to your car until you have safely parked on the shoulder, preferably the right shoulder. If possible, you should wait until you are off the road altogether.
Stay in your vehicle. Once you have pulled over, you should turn on your hazard lights and keep your seat belt on. Continuing to wear your seat belt could minimize your injuries should another driver strike your disabled car.
Exit safely. If you are parked on the right shoulder, exit your vehicle on the passenger side. If there is a barrier wall, climb over it as that adds another layer of protection between you and passing vehicles.
Road safety is a collaborative effort of all drivers on the road, and unfortunately, accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed under the same or similar circumstances, it is important to find a skilled law firm to manage your claim. The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz, & Stogner is the longest-standing personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys are standing by to assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 for your free consultation.