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What To Do If You’re Trapped In Your Car

by  on  Car Accidents & Motor Vehicle Collisions

The winters in Colorado can be fierce. Driving can often be a dangerous task, so it’s best to make sure that you and your vehicles are prepared. However, even given the best preparation, it may be possible for you to get stuck in your car during a snowstorm or after a crash.

While this can be a terrifying concept, it may be a little less scary if you know what to do. That’s why we’ve compiled a few helpful tips for getting yourself safely out of harm’s way.

Stay Calm

We know this may be the most difficult suggestion. After all, you’ve just been in a pretty terrifying crash! But, we also know that it’s harder to make smart choices when you’re in distress. Consider taking a few deep breaths before beginning the following steps.

Unbuckle Your Seatbelt

There’s a good chance that you’re going to need to move around after the crash. Whether it’s to check on other passengers or take a look at the outside of your car. We recommend unbuckling your seatbelt and bracing yourself against a potential fall if your car has turned upside down in the collision.

Turn On Your Hazards and Set Up Flares 

Making sure you are visible is a good first step to helping rescuers find your vehicle. It’s also a good way to ensure that you aren’t hit by someone else who couldn’t see your car due to poor visibility or bad weather. No matter your collision situation, this is a good way to start getting yourself back to safety.

Dial 911

This may seem obvious to some, but calling for help is crucial. If you can reach your phone easily and safely, and have cell service, then you’ll be able to ensure your rescue happens as quickly as possible. If your car is equipped with emergency calling, this may make things easier. However you need to do it, make sure you alert the authorities, so they can start sending help.

Turn Off Your Car

We know that it’s probably going to be cold, but you’ll want to conserve your fuel for as long as you can. If you have an emergency kit — we recommend you do — then bring out the blankets and sweatshirts, and only turn on the car when you need to warm up again. Since you don’t know how long it will take for rescuers to arrive, it’s best to make sure you conserve fuel for as long as possible.

Make Sure Your Exterior Exhaust is Clear

Although you won’t be running your car the entire time, you’ll want to make sure that the exterior exhaust is clear so that you reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If the collision prevents you from clearing away the debris from the exterior exhaust on your car, it’s safer to bundle up in your emergency blankets than to keep the car on and run the risk of poisoning yourself.

Although the thought of being trapped in your car after a crash can be intimidating, we hope that these tips have made it a little less so. As a Denver accident law firm, we understand how important it is to be prepared before you head out on the winter roads. If you have questions about a recent accident or believe you have a case, do not hesitate to contact us.