Car accidents happen without warning—but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of bad advice floating around the internet about the best way to be prepared and be safe. Here is our simple, practical list of easy preparation steps you can take.
Basic Preparations for Car Accidents
The most basic preparations you can make for a car accident are little things that make a big difference. For example:
- Keep proof of your car insurance in the glove compartment where you will easily find it. Put a reminder on your calendar to change it every six months or year when a new version is sent to you.
- Make sure your insurance has a number to call to make a claim. Highlight this number if it’s not prominent. If you have roadside assistance, highlight this as well.
- Buy a cell phone charger for your car, and get in the habit of letting your phone charge while you drive. If it’s never low on battery, you’ll always be able to call for help.
- If you live in a cold area, keep energy bars and blankets or coats in the car as well. Ideally, they should be somewhere you can reach without exiting the vehicle.
- In Georgia summers, having bottled water in the car is always a good idea.
Emergency Preparations
Most accidents are fender-benders, but in a serious accident, you may have only seconds to get out of the vehicle or call for help. That means that simple, easy-to-use solutions are the best. This can include:
- Have a flashlight in the glove box. In an emergency, you can use it to signal for help or even break a window to escape.
- Keep a first aid kit in your vehicle.
- Consider stocking your trunk with several small orange cones. These are useful to mark out your vehicle on the roadside and keep traffic from cruising too close while you help other injured people.
Preventing & Minimizing Accidents
Last, you can take basic steps to either prevent accidents from happening, or make sure they’re as minor as possible. For example:
- Keep a pair of sunglasses in the car so you never end up driving blinded by sun.
- Keep your vehicle well maintained to avoid sudden breakdowns or mechanical failures.
- Making sure your tires are up to date is an easy way to minimize the risk of many serious accidents.
- Drive defensively.
- If buying a used car, look for models that have airbags and other modern safety features.
There is no way to be completely accident-proof. You may also want to read our guide on what to do if you’re in car accident .
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