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Do You Know What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
personal injury attorney sacramento

Accidents are not the only dangerous issues facing motorists on the nations roadways.

A flat tire, smoking engine or other mechanical failure while driving can be catastrophic. Mechanical failures are especially dangerous because if motorists do not respond appropriately, they can cause auto accidents.

The following disabled vehicle safety tips from our Sacramento auto accident lawyers can protect you and your passengers as well as other motorists on the road.

If your car breaks down while you are driving, you should:

  • Identify how best to get off the road quickly.
    • Pull over to the shoulder, locate the nearest exit
  • Turn on your emergency hazard lights to warn other drivers
  • Stay in your vehicle until your vehicle is out of traffic
    • If you must get out of your vehicle do not stand on the side with traffic
  • In extreme weather, make sure you keep the engine running
  • Use your cell phone to call for roadside assistance
  • If you have a spare tire, get to a safe distance away from traffic before changing the tire

Additionally, by preparing a tire changing kit, food, snacks, and a phone charger in your car,  you can get the help you need quickly. Inexperienced drivers, such as teenagers, are especially vulnerable to panicking.

Discuss safety strategies with teenagers to make sure that they know what to do in the event that their car ever becomes disabled.

Stay Safe on the Roads

The Sacramento personal injury attorneys at Arnold Law Firm firmly believe that proper preparation can prevent dangerous accidents caused by disabled vehicles. If you are involved in an auto accident of any type, our team of legal professionals are ready to assist you.

Call (916) 777-7777 or use the online contact form for answers to all of your questions.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.