Staying Safe When Your Car Breaks Down in Traffic

The reputation for crazy-high traffic volumes in California is based on facts rather than exaggeration. When you find yourself with a breakdown on the road in the midst of everything, it can be terrifying. Even if you’re more frustrated than worried, it is important to be aware of the risks you face in this vulnerable position and take the right steps to stay safe.

Whether your car stops working due to an accident or a mechanical problem, your safety should be your top priority. Far too often, we’ve seen situations where drivers get through a minor collision with no injuries only to be seriously hurt in a secondary collision. While our team works to secure compensation for accident victims in this type of situation, it would be far better if the injuries never occurred in the first place.

Critical Steps in the First 30 Seconds

When you realize that something is wrong, the actions you take next can make a huge difference. Putting on your hazard lights right away signals to the vehicle behind you that your speed and direction may become unpredictable. 

While it may seem instinctive to brake hard to slow down, it is better to use that momentum to coast toward a safe destination if possible. Try to aim for the far-right shoulder. If you can make it to an exit ramp or turnout, even better. However, you want to avoid stopping in the center median or on the left if at all possible. A position in the faster lanes of traffic puts you at greater risk of being hit, and it makes it harder for law enforcement and roadside assistance to help you.

Once your vehicle has stopped moving, turn the steering wheel so that your front wheels are pointed away from the road. That way, if you should get hit from behind, your car is less likely to be pushed into the stream of traffic.

Evaluate Your Environment

The next phase of action starts with taking stock of your situation. Check whether the vehicle is outside the active travel lanes or blocking a lane. Unless the vehicle is on fire or appears to pose a danger, it is usually safer to stay inside with your seatbelt fastened. The car provides a solid layer of protection all around you, and you lose that protection if you get out of the vehicle. You can lock the doors for safety until police arrive.

If you can, call for assistance from inside your car. Don’t worry if your phone isn’t available, however, particularly if traffic is heavy. Your presence will be noted by others, and police should soon be on the way if for no other reason than to help clear traffic obstructions.

If you smell smoke or gas, it is probably wise to get out of the vehicle. This could also be the case if your car is stopped on a blind curve or on a bridge or some other area where you’re at risk of getting hit. Try to exit the vehicle on the side away from travel lanes, and move to an elevated area away from the road, preferably behind a wall or guardrail.

Increasing Visibility While Signaling for Help

If you’ve been in a collision, there are injuries, or there’s a risk of danger, you should consider the situation an emergency and call 911. When your vehicle is inoperable in California and you do not feel you need police assistance, you can call 511 for roadside assistance. The Freeway Service Patrol can assist with flat tires, dead batteries, or towing. 511 provides a variety of traffic information, but to get help when stuck on the road, request “motorist aid.” If you can see a cross street, mileage marker, or other landmark, that information can help crews find you faster.

When your vehicle is not movable, signaling distress can be a good idea because it serves three purposes:

• It alerts other drivers to the obstruction so they can avoid hitting your vehicle
• It tells others that you need assistance so they can call in on your behalf
• It makes it easier for law enforcement and roadside assistance to locate you quickly.

If you have flares, emergency lights, or safety triangles in your vehicle and it is safe to get out, you can place them behind your vehicle. Opening the hood is also a universally understood sign of distress, making your vehicle more visible.

Dangerous Mistakes to Avoid

Unfortunately, many people do exactly the wrong thing when their car breaks down in traffic. They get so concerned about checking for damage that they step into traffic and get hit. Or they try to prove their abilities by changing a tire too close to the travel lanes.

When your vehicle is stopped on the side of the road, you can be vulnerable to predators. While many well-meaning good Samaritans may offer to help, it is usually wise to wait for a marked tow truck or law enforcement vehicle to arrive. Try to remain aware of oncoming traffic while you wait, and move if your situation seems to be risky.

When Injuries Cannot Be Avoided, We Can Help with Your Recovery

Often, even when you do everything right, someone else acts irresponsibly, and you get hurt as a result. You may be sitting safely in your vehicle when it gets rear-ended by a driver who isn’t paying attention. Or you may be exiting your car to avoid danger, and you get hit by a driver who is running down the shoulder to avoid traffic delays.

When another person’s negligence causes your injuries, an experienced injury attorney can work to obtain compensation for your medical bills, pain, suffering, and other consequences of your injuries. It is helpful to begin working with a lawyer soon after the accident so that your attorney can gather and preserve evidence to build your strongest case for recovery.

Staying safe and protecting your health are always the top priorities in any situation. But once you’ve taken steps to secure yourself personally, it is also important to protect yourself legally and financially. That’s where we come in. To find out more about how we may be able to help if you or a loved one has been injured in California, contact the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian online or call us at 714-400-2000 to schedule a free consultation.