The recent death of an 88-year-old man who was standing beside his broken-down vehicle on the Interstate highlights the issues surrounding safety in the event of an auto emergency. There are certain rules that should always be followed to avoid serious injury or death in the event of a sudden breakdown, especially on a very busy and high-speed road such as an interstate.
Daniel M. Gilleon, a personal injury attorney in San Diego, offers the following tips for staying safe in the event of a breakdown.
It is inevitable that our vehicles will break down. Sometimes this occurs while driving on busy roads. The California Highway Patrol reminds drivers that it is extremely important to try and move your vehicle to the right shoulder if possible. According to CHP public-affairs Officer Kevin Pearlstein, “The safest thing is to get to the right shoulder. If you can’t get to the right shoulder, if you’re close to the center and you don’t think you’re going to make it, just get out of the traffic lane. That’s the number one thing.”
Once pulled over, the officer states, “I like to be well away from a car, on the other side of a guard rail. Or on the other side of a wall or embankment. Something where I can see vehicles coming at me and I’ll be able to take an evasive action if I have to.” The officer also states that even if you have a blown out tire, the safest thing to do is to turn on your hazard lights and drive slowly to an exit.
When someone is on the side of the road, whether the person is broken down or simply a pedestrian, he or she must be vigilant and stay safe. Drivers on the road are required to pay attention and be aware of pedestrians; however, some do not.
When a driver hits a pedestrian, the injured victim may have a right to seek compensation through a personal injury suit. This type of lawsuit is designed to award the victim compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses and other injuries they have suffered that are related to the crash. However, to have your best chance at receiving the maximum amount of compensation, it is wise to speak with a personal injury attorney like those at the Gilleon Law Firm, APC in San Diego. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys can help you build your case as well as represent your interests.