Tips For Avoiding Injury When Your Car Stalls on the Highway

 Posted on July 21, 2021 in Car Accidents

If you have ever traveled on the interstate, you have likely seen a car stalled on the side of the highway and been thankful that it was not you. However, anyone could find themself in a similar situation, whether due to unexpected engine troubles, a blown tire, or some other cause.

Stalling on the highway is not just an inconvenience, it can also put you at risk of serious injury from passing drivers. Just last weekend, two people were injured in a collision on I-94 in Lake County after a woman’s vehicle broke down. You may be able to avoid similar injuries by understanding the safety precautions you should take if your own vehicle stalls.

What Should I Do If My Vehicle Breaks Down on the Interstate?

It is easy to be caught unaware if your car breaks down on the road. However, it is important to try to stay calm and consider taking the following actions to protect yourself and your passengers:

• Turn on your hazard lights - As soon as you know that something is wrong with your car, turning on your hazard lights (using the red triangle button on your dashboard control panel) can help to alert other drivers of your predicament, notifying them that they should steer clear and keep their distance. This is especially important if you stall in the middle of a traffic lane and you are unable to move your vehicle at all.
• Try to navigate to safety - If you are able to move your car, you can try to steer it to the nearest shoulder, out of the way of oncoming traffic. Before doing so, be sure to carefully check your surroundings and use your turn signal to signify any lane changes.
• Stay in your vehicle - You may be tempted to get out of your car to check the engine or look for any other signs of damage, but doing so can expose you to a much greater risk of harm. You are more vulnerable to catastrophic injuries as a pedestrian than if you remain within the protection of your vehicle.
• Call for help - Once you have done all that you can to get yourself out of harm’s way, you should call 911 to get help. Law enforcement can stop traffic or direct it away from you to provide further protection. You can also get help by calling a roadside assistance service to tow your vehicle or otherwise help you get it off the road.

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Attorney

Despite your safety precautions, you could still be injured by a driver who is speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or negligent in some other way. If so, the Waukegan, IL personal injury attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLC can help you recover fair compensation. For a free consultation, call us today at 847-662-3303.

Sources:

https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2021/07/18/woman-suffers-serious-injuries-after-vehicle-hits-stalled-car-on-i-94-near-gurnee/

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/what-to-do-when-your-car-stalls/

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/auto-care/safe-driving/what-to-do-when-your-car-stalls-while-driving