Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
A recent car accident in Jasper County on Interstate 65 in Indiana surprised a Chicago resident as she sat on the side of the road with her disabled vehicle. The Chicago driver told officers that she pulled the car over because smoke started seeping out from underneath the hood. According to officers, the accident happened when a passing semi-truck struck the disabled vehicle and caught on fire.Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that sometimes vehicle malfunctions happen and there’s nothing we can do to completely prevent them. There is a way though that we can handle these situations to help keep everyone in the vehicle safe. There are certain safety tips that motorists should remember and exercise if they’re ever stuck on the side of the road with a disabled vehicle.
The accident report stated that the Chicago driver and the 24-year-old passenger got out of the vehicle after they pulled it off to the side of the road. As the two were out examining the engine, a tractor-trailer merged over from the right-hand side of the roadway and hit the disabled car.
Since the two were standing in front of the car when the semi hit, they were injured. One motorist received a number of skull fractures and a gash on his head. The other motorist was thrown into a nearby ditch and suffered from a broken leg.
The driver of the semi told officers that he didn’t see the disabled vehicle because there were no hazard lights activated.
The police report went on to state that the semi struck the vehicle, swerved to the left, flew into the median and struck the barrier cables. The fire started when the semi collided with the cables. The driver was able to escape the truck safely.
Both of the injured motorists were transported to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Crown Point.
Follow these safety tips provided by Pep Boys if your car breaks down:
-Try to pull the car over as far away from traffic as possible. If there’s an emergency lane, use it. If there’s a grassy area near the lane, use that.
-If you’re stopped because you’ve got a flat tire and there’s no safe place to pull over, drive on the rim until you find a place. Ruining a rim is much less significant than losing a life.
-Make sure you always have warning devices with you, including triangles and flares. These should be placed a good distance from your car. The rule of thumb says that you should have three warning devices, placed at 25, 50 and 100 yards from your vehicle.
-Activate your hazard lights.
-Always travel with a cell phone.
-If your car is not stopped in a safe area, get out of the vehicle and move away from it. Otherwise remain inside with the doors locked and passengers buckled.
-If you have to walk to a phone, make sure all vehicle occupants walk together.
-Open the hood on your car.
-Tie a white cloth to your antenna.
-If someone asks you if you need help, remain in your car with the doors locked and ask them to call for help.
-Keep water, nonperishable food items and warm clothing in your car for scenarios like this one.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, the Chicago injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes would like to offer you a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
Additional Resources:
Parked car on interstate causes an accident, two in hospital, by Jessica Farrell, WSBT
More Blog Entries:
Fewer Chicago Drunk Driving Accidents Good News, But Awareness Key Heading into the Holiday Season
October 9, 2011
Drive Safely Work Week Aims to Prevent Work-Related Car Accidents in Illinois, Nation
October 7, 2011