Things to Have In Your Car For Accidents

Drivers are in the difficult position of having to prepare for many different types of weather conditions, especially in the winter. As a car accident attorney, I want to prepare my clients for the worst. Suppose that you've done everythign right when it comes to winter driving, and you still get in an accident. What do you do then?

Well, in any normal situation, whether you've rear-ended someone or simply run off the road, you'd call the police, go over the accident report, get medical attention, etc. But what if the winter weather that caused the accident is now also preventing help from reaching you?

The following is a list of things you should keep in your car at all times if you'll be driving in the winter:

Basic first aid kit: This is pretty self-explanatory, besides most people have this in their car regardless of weather.

Blankets, water bottles, and non-perishable food: If you end up stuck for a long period of time, you'll be glad for these basic survival items.

Full tank of gas: Again, if you get stuck for a long period of time, if running the car is a safe option you will want to be able to run your car and turn on the heat periodically. Another thing a full tank of gas does is give your car some extra weight;this will give you traction and more control over the vehicle.

Flashlight: Although a popular rumor, accidents actually do not just occur on well-lit streets or during the day time.

Cell phone: Don't use it while driving, but it's still always good to have one on hand for emergencies.

Ice scraper: If you don't clear your windshield of ice you can cause some big problems;poor visibility is one of the leading causes of crashes.

Kitty litter: Gross, right? You'll probably want to keep some (unused) sand or kitty litter around if you plan on leaving your vehicle parked for longer than an hour, or if there's snow and ice on the ground. Sprinkle some around the ground near your tires to help improve traction and prevent spin outs.

Shovel: If you have room for a small shovel it might just come in handy when you try to dig yourself out of a snow drift or clear excess snow from your tires.

There are times when accidents are unavoidable, especially during winter. Being well-prepared can help you survive not just an average roadside breakdown, but it will also help your injury accident claim go more smoothly.


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James Brown is a Missouri injury lawyer in St. Louis. If you are hurt in a car accident you need to know the common mistakes car accident victims make when talking to insurance adjusters that ruin their accident claims. Request a free copy of his Missouri accident guide, "I Survived! The Crash Victims Guide to Surviving the Aftermath" at his website http://www.themissouriinjurylawyer.com