All drivers across the country risk having their vehicle break down on the side of the road. Car trouble, severe weather, bad roads, or other factors can result in needing to stop on the side of the road. Anytime you pull over, you face a possibly dangerous situation. Below are some safety tips if you are ever in a Nevada roadside emergency:
- Get Away From Danger: At the first sign of issues, start moving your vehicle toward the side of the road. You can do so by putting the vehicle in neutral and coasting toward the shoulder, if necessary. Be sure to park as far from traffic lanes as feasible. Angle your car’s tires away from the road, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights, and put on the emergency brake.
- Remain Visible to Others on the Road: Ensure that your vehicle (and you) are visible to others who are on the roadways. This could require you to prop your hood, fly a flag, set up cones or flares, or put on reflective clothing—especially if your car’s hazard lights are not functioning properly.
- Contact Emergency Services: As soon as you can, call for help. You should reach out to roadside assistance, a local towing company, or 9-1-1 if you feel you are in a dangerous situation or if your vehicle broke down in the middle of the road.
- Stay in Your Car: Unless it is unsafe to do so, you should remain inside your vehicle. While you may want to step out and investigate what happened, exiting the vehicle if you are close to traffic lanes is dangerous and risky. Because you are not protected, it can only take a second for a driver to veer toward your car accidentally.
- Be Careful of Kind Strangers: Instead of accepting help from a stranger on the side of the roadway, advise them that you are waiting for help from roadside assistance. While a stranger may have good intentions, it is always wise to proceed with caution.
- Always Be Prepared: Before you are in the middle of a roadside emergency, be sure to stock your car with important supplies for such an event. This can include a tire jack, tools, a spare tire, duct tape, gloves, jumper cables, cones, fix-a-flat, reflective triangles, flares, and flags.
In addition to the above, there are many smartphone apps available for download that can connect you with roadside assistance and repair advice. This includes HONK for tow trucks, Repair Pal for local car mechanics, as well as Good Hands Rescue and Urgent.ly for on-demand roadside assistance.
Nevada Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you care about recently experienced a roadside emergency because of the negligent acts of another, contact the experienced Las Vegas accident lawyers at H&P Law. Our attorneys can help you seek the maximum compensation available to you under Nevada law. Contact us today.
