Driving can be dangerous. The more time you spend on the road, the more likely it is that an accident will eventually occur. Breaking down only to realize that your spare tire is flat or you don’t have a car jack can be tremendously frustrating. In the event of an emergency or car wreck, a well-stocked safety and repair kit in your vehicle can help to keep you safe, comfortable, and prepared. Below, our blog outlines eight items that everyone should keep in their car.
- First-aid kit: Common supplies that you might include in your medical kit are bandages, Band-Aids, pain relievers, and allergy medication. If you do not want to make your own kit, most pharmacies, supermarkets, and corner stores sell premade first-aid kits that are designed to stay in your car.
- Maps: Few drivers get lost on purpose and when it happens, having some form of navigation can help you to be prepared. These days, most driver’s use their cellphone’s navigational app to get where they need to go. If that isn’t an option for you, a paper map or standalone GPS can be great alternatives.
- Toolkit/roadside kit: Keep and maintain a kit for basic roadside maintenance aimed to fix common problems including dead batteries and flat tires. Items you should consider include a spare tire, jumper cables, duct tape, heavy duty gloves, and your vehicle’s manual. Also be sure to include the necessary tools such as a jack and wrench.
- Pen and paper: While a cell phone can perform a great many (and useful) functions, if you need to take down a variety of information quickly, a pen and paper can be invaluable. From the insurance and contact information of the other drivers involved in a car wreck to the address of a repair shop, you never know what information you will need to take down.
- A camera: Again, due to advances in technology, most people carry around a powerful cell-phone camera in their pocket. However, in the event of a wreck, your phone may be damaged or uncharged. The time directly after an accident is critical for gathering photographic evidence and a disposable camera can be a great back-up when your cellphone is unavailable. Remember to replace cameras when the film inside expires.
- Extra cell phone charger: If you end up stranded on the side of the road, your cellphone can act as your lifeline to emergency services, your map for getting home, and a way to keep yourself from getting bored. Having a car charger handy can ensure that your phone is always ready to go in the case of an emergency. You may also want to carry a spare phone and charger in your vehicle as most cellphones can place emergency calls to 9-1-1 even if they are not active a mobile carrier service.
- Water: Small annoyances can become unbearable when forced to endure them over prolonged periods of time. Having a fresh supply of water can help you to stay comfortable, hydrated, and making good decisions. It might help to keep a few non-perishable items of food (such as MREs) handy as well. While bottled water and MREs typically have a long shelf life, be sure to replace food that has gone bad.
- A towel: A cloth towel is an item that is often overlooked, however, no car-kit should go without one. It can be used as a blanket for extra warmth, folded into a pillow, or used to clean up a spill. Do you need to clean your hands after changing a tire? Use your towel.
Injured Through no Fault of Your Own?
Keeping your vehicle’s safety and repair kit well-stocked can help you to prepare for an emergency. However, no amount of preparation can prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car wreck, we want to hear your story. Our Shreveport car wreck lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for past clients and can help you to fight for the restitution that you deserve.
Call (318) 221-1508 to request an initial case evaluation and learn about your legal options.
