As responsibly as you may drive, you can never be certain when you’re going to get into an unforeseen situation, such as an emergency or accident. While you might not be able to foresee and avoid every risk, you can plan ahead of the possibility of an accident, with the right toolkit to help you mitigate its impact as best as possible. What should that toolkit include? Let’s explore.
The Medical Essentials
Let’s start with a physical medical emergency kit, including a first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, gauze, gloves, and a CPR mask. If you have any personal medication, allergy information, or medical history to take into account, then you should start carrying it in a laminated card to make sure that you’re not given any treatments that could prove dangerous should you be injured or unable to speak. Keep it visible in your car so it can be easily found.
Your Basic Legal And Identification Documents
Keep a folder in your glovebox with essential legal items: vehicle registration, auto insurance info, driver’s license copy, and a written step-by-step accident checklist. The checklist should include steps to help you stay calm, exchange information with other drivers involved, take photos of the scene, and, importantly, avoid admitting fault or saying sorry, even casually. This can help you stay calm and rely on a pre-planned series of actions, rather than having to make decisions on the fly in a stressful time.
A List Of Emergency Contacts
You may have them stored on your phone, but if your phone is rendered unusable by an accident, you might still be able ot use someone else’s. Having numbers, including a family contact to pick you up, your insurance company, and a law firm fighting for car accident victims, can ensure you’re able to take the necessary steps. A written and laminated list can ensure that you’re not left totally stranded.
Pen, Notepad, And Flashlight
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be greatly exacerbated by being in low-light conditions. Having a small flashlight in the car can help you inspect damage or find dropped items much more easily. A notepad and pen allow you to take witness info, draw diagrams, or jot down key details if your phone dies or malfunctions. Though we rely heavily on digital tools, these can fail us when we need them most, especially in areas with poor signal.
Keep Everything in One Clearly Labeled Bag
To make sure that you’re able to act as quickly as possible, you should keep your accident emergency kit in a zippered pouch or container that is labelled something like “Accident Emergency Kit.” Keep it in your glovebox or somewhere else that offers easy access from inside the car, rather than the trunk.
Being equipped isn’t going to prevent an accident. Especially those that are totally unrelated to your own driving. It can, however, make sure that you’re ready to handle the medical and legal side of emergencies as best as possible. That alone makes it worth it.