WHAT ITEMS SHOULD I KEEP IN MY CAR IN CASE OF A CAR ACCIDENT?

Car accidents often happen when you least expect them to—while you’re commuting to work, on your way to visit a friend, or heading to the grocery store. The reality is that even the safest, most defensive drivers can still be involved in accidents caused by other negligent drivers.

There may also be circumstances when you get a flat tire, severe weather forces you off the road, or where you may be far away from medical treatment. In any of these cases, you want to ensure that you have a well-stocked vehicle. Here are some essential items that you may want to consider keeping in your car in the event of an accident or unforeseen circumstances.

Important Documents

When you get into an accident, your first step is to address the safety of everyone in your vehicle. Once you do this, you should contact the police and ensure that you exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. The police will also need this information, so you want to ensure that you have a place that you carry all of your important documents within your vehicle, including:

• Your driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance information
• Notepad and pen for taking notes
• Emergency contact information

First-Aid Kit

If you or your passengers are seriously injured, you will need to call 9-1-1 immediately so that emergency medical services can come to the scene. However, there may be cases where someone just sustains a minor injury, or you are in a remote area where you have to wait a period of time for an ambulance to arrive.

In these cases, having a first-aid kit handy can help you address any wounds immediately. Be sure to include:

• Hand sanitizer
• Gloves
• Various sizes of bandages
• Gauze dressing
• Medical tape
• Alcohol wipes
• Iodine wipes
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Antibiotic ointment
• Aspirin and other over-the-counter pain medication
• Burn aid ointment
• Instant cold compress
• Thermometer
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• CPR mouthpiece
• Sutures
• A splint

Car Care Items

Having extra equipment for your car can help you avoid an unexpected breakdown without a plan. For instance, if your car breaks down in a rural area where you don’t have phone service, you may need help sooner than you can get it. Even if you have AAA or another roadside assistance, it’s better to be prepared and have these on hand, especially if you are planning to go for a long-distance trip:

• Back-up car fluids
• Jumper cables
• CB or weather radio
• Spare tire
• Traffic cones
• Reflective gear

Emergency Equipment

You never know where and when you will be involved in an accident or what condition your vehicle may be in after the fact. What if your vehicle runs off the road during a rainstorm or your phone battery dies after a nighttime accident? You really never know what unexpected event could occur, therefore, you always want to be prepared and keep these essentially survival items and emergency equipment in your vehicle:

• Water
• Nonperishable snacks
• Medicine
• Warm clothing
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Auto escape
• Phone charger
• Emergency flares
• Fire extinguisher
• Auto-escape tools, such as window breakers or seat belt cutters

We’re Here If You Need Us

We hope that these tips help you stay safe and provide you with peace of mind. Remember, there is no such thing as being too prepared. Additionally, should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, know that the team at Davidoff Law is ready to stand in your corner and help you recover.

Our team of car accident attorneys have been protecting the rights of those injured across all boroughs of New York City for decades. We care about our clients on a personal level, and we will strive to ensure that you are made a priority throughout the entirety of your case.