While no one wants to think about their chances of getting into a car accident everytime they get on the road, this is a risk that is taken each time you step into a vehicle, whether you accept it consciously or unconsciously. For most people, a little fender-bender isn’t something to get too worked up about. But if you get in a car accident with a bigger vehicle, like a semi-truck, most personal vehicles don’t really stand much of a chance against a machine that large. So to help give you the best chance possible of having a positive outcome from an experience such as this, here are three things you should remember if you ever get in a car accident, especially if it’s with a bigger vehicle.
Try To Avoid Swerving
Most semi-trucks spend the majority of their time on higher speed roads like highways or freeways. Because of this, if you have an encounter with one, it will likely involve both of you headed the same direction pretty fast.
One situation you might find yourself in is having that semi drift into your lane. If this happens, Eric Spitznagel, a contributor to Men’s Health, shares that the worst thing you can do is to swerve. When you do this, you lose control of your car and have your momentum work against you. While swerving might be your initial impulse, the best option is to move over to the edge of your lane and smoothly start applying your brakes. This should help to get you out of harm’s way.
Be Careful Around Your Airbags
If you’re driving around a larger vehicle, or even just a normal car, and you realize that an impact with them is imminent, it’s important for your safety that you take care not to interfere too much with your airbags. While these devices are meant to save your life during an impact, they can also cause you a lot of harm in the process. According to Wes Siler, a contributor to Gizmodo.com, you should avoid keeping anything between you and your airbags, including your arms or hands.
Keep An Escape Tool Handy
Once you’ve been in a car accident, there’s no telling what situation you’ll now find yourself in. So to ensure you’re ready to face any danger, Tim Macwelch, a contributor to Outdoor Life, advises that you always keep an escape tool handy in your car. This should be something that you can cut through your seat belt with or break a window if necessary. Make sure it’s strapped down tight so it doesn’t become a projectile while you’re actively in the car accident, but also ensure you’ll always be able to reach it from your seat.
To increase your chances of making it through an accident with a bigger vehicle, consider pondering and implementing the tips mentioned above.