Every time we get behind the wheel, we take for granted that we will make it from point A to point B without incident. However, the reality is that there are a hundred things that can go wrong on the road and grind your commute to a halt – that is, unless you’re prepared. There are a number of essential items you should always keep in your vehicle in case you get into a jam, whether it’s an accident or emergency. They include the following:
- Spare Tire and Jumper Cables – Flat tires and dead batteries happen to the best of us – and usually at the most inconvenient moment. If you want to avoid getting stranded, keep a spare tire and jumper cables on hand at all times.
- First-Aid Kit – Crashes and other injury-causing emergencies can occur at any time, whether you’re at home or on the road. A first-aid kit will provide you with everything you might need to address minor medical issues.
- Flares – If your vehicle is disabled and it’s nighttime, you want to make it as visible as possible to oncoming traffic. Using hazard lights and flares will make approaching vehicles aware of your presence, significantly decreasing the chance of a crash.
- Phone Charger – Thanks to the prevalence of smartphones, it is very difficult to get lost or stranded since help is just a call or text away. You just have to remember to keep your phone charged. Nowadays you can get a vehicle-compatible charger for relatively cheap, so there’s no excuse not to have one.
- Blankets, Food, and Water – Having these will ensure that your basic survival needs are met in the event you become stranded or lost. If you’re going somewhere especially cold, you should bring a heating pack as well.
- Duct Tape – The rock star of your care emergency kit, duct tape can be used for everything from temporary vehicle repairs to roadside first-aid. Truly nothing beats its versatility. Keep a roll in your glove compartment or trunk – you’ll be glad you did.
- Important Contact Information: All of the aforementioned items and tools are great and all, but there’s no help like the help of other people. Keep a list of emergency contacts in your car in case you get into a serious accident. Likewise, include your own information in the list in case emergency responders are not able to locate your wallet or other identifying information.
About the Author:
Bobby Saadian, Esq. is the Founding President and Managing Attorney at Wilshire Law Firm. Known as the “People’s Lawyer,” he primarily handles major accident and catastrophic injury cases of many varieties, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and wrongful death.