There are more than 14,000 car accidents in the United States every day, according to the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, very few drivers are well equipped to handle this type of emergency. Whether it’s due to overconfidence or a lack of preparation, many drivers do not have a proper emergency car accident kit in their vehicle. This can be a huge mistake–one that can make the difference between suffering a minor injury and a catastrophic injury.
The personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys want to make sure that you and your family are prepared for the worse. With that in mind, here are five essential items you should have in your emergency car accident kit.
What should I Have in an Emergency Car Accident kit?
Most drivers keep insurance and registration cards on hand. Unfortunately, these documents aren’t very useful in the event of a car crash. Keep a small bag designated for car accident emergencies in your trunk or back seat. Stock it with the following essential items:
First Aid Kit
Even a minor car accident can result in injuries. If uninjured, other drivers may be, and sometimes even an aspirin or a bandage can make all the difference in the world.
Disposable Camera
This is at the top of most “car accident kit” lists, but a lot of people feel that they can use their phones in an emergency. Phone cameras are great and can take excellent pictures, but an accident can cause you to lose track of, or even damage your cell phone. Additionally, your phone’s battery may be out of power, whereas a disposable camera can never lose its charge.
Flashlight
Although the most serious accidents and auto fatalities occur at night, many drivers do not keep a flashlight in their vehicle. A well lit scene will keep you visible to oncoming traffic and to the police or paramedics when they arrive. A flashlight, reflectors, flairs, and glow sticks will help prevent further injury. Lerner and Rowe recommends using a tactical flashlight that runs on lithium-ion batteries, since they tend to be more durable and hold charges longer than home flashlights that use alkaline batteries.
Fire Extinguisher
A serious auto accident can result in fire. Having a fire extinguisher at the ready can help prevent injuries and additional property damage by allowing you to contain a fire before it spreads. While many people think of car accident injuries in terms of blunt-force trauma, our lawyers have successfully served clients that have suffered burn injuries in car accidents.
Emergency Contact Information
Keep in mind that you may not be conscious after an accident. If you have family that needs notification if you become injured, have their info in your vehicle or wallet. Police can locate them faster that way.
Contact Lerner and Rowe
Lerner and Rowe hopes that you’re never in a situation where you need an emergency car accident kit. However, it’s better to have a car accident kit and not need it than to need one and not have it. Unfortunately, accidents are a part of life and can happen at any time. This is why our team strongly suggests having a kit ready and to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Insurance companies will try to take advantage of you after an accident. They understand that you’re vulnerable and will try to pressure you into accepting low settlements right away. Lerner and Rowe is focused on one thing–fighting insurance companies that go out of their way to undervalue your injury claim. The truth is, if insurance companies were fair, you wouldn’t need an attorney. To make sure you get the money that you deserve, give us a call today.
You can reach Lerner and Rowe by phone at 844-977-1900. You can also reach our team online by submitting your case information online or connecting with our LiveChat representatives. Our staff is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to offering free consultations, we have a documented history of winning billions of dollars for our clients. Making sure that you get the highest settlement possible takes one call, that’s all. So call Lerner and Rowe today.