Is It Dangerous to Get Out of Your Car on the Highway?

A man has been killed in San Marcos in what is being a called a “freak accident.” A father and a son were retrieving a toolbox that had fallen out of a vehicle and onto an Interstate 35 ramp. Unfortunately, another vehicle had noticed the toolbox on the road, moved to avoid it and hit both men. The son was killed and the father was sent to the Central Texas Medical Center.
This is one of the many ways that people are hurt or killed when exiting their vehicle on the highway. However, it is more common to see someone exit his or her car on a highway because it breaks down or runs out of gas. The driver or passenger can often be seen inspecting the car or attempting to fix the vehicle. Exiting your car is strongly discouraged, as it can be extremely dangerous.

What Should I Do If My Car Breaks Down on the Highway?

Here are a few methods that you can use to try to avoid being hit on a highway if your car breaks down or runs out of gas:

• Stop your car as far away from traffic as possible.
• Try to exit the Interstate or busy highway, if possible. It is better to risk the damage that could occur by driving on a tire rim than it is to risk being hit by traffic while fixing a tire.
• If you cannot exit the highway, make sure you never have your back to oncoming traffic, so that you can see the drivers. Make sure you can easily get out of the way if a distracted driver does not see you. It can help to have one of your passengers alert you of possible dangers.
• If you have a cellphone and you call for help, then it is better to wait by staying in the car with the doors locked and your seat belts buckled.
• If you have to walk to a gas station, then it is best to exit from the right side of the car. Stay as far away from traffic as possible. Use any guardrails if they are around.

Overall, it is highly recommended that you avoid getting out of your car, if possible.

For more information about highway safety and what to do if a distracted or intoxicated driver injures you while you are pulled over on the side of the road, contact our Austin auto accident attorney today.

The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney

Source: http://kxan.com/2015/01/19/freak-car-crash-kills-man-in-san-marcos/