Recovering After a Crash
Florida has one of the highest numbers of fatal accidents per year, with 2,247 in 2012. Therefore, getting into a crash on an Orlando highway can be a frightening experience. You and your passengers may be seriously injured and the car may be totaled. Plus, there are thousands of cars whizzing by you at high speeds.
You may have been in a car accident before, but maybe it happened on a rural road or quiet suburban street without tons of other cars interfering. Being stuck on a highway is a much different experience. That begs the question: What do you do after an accident on the interstate? Do the same rules apply? Do you stay put? Call for help? Read on to find out what to do so you can stay safe and get back on the road as quickly as possible. Why an Interstate Accident is Different from a Crash on a City Street In Florida, the speed limit on an interstate ranges from 60 to 70 mph. And in many cases, motorists travel at speeds higher than the speed limit. This makes an interstate the dangerous place to have an accident. These speeds are much higher than a residential area, where speeds could range from 25 to 45 mph. Another difference is that there are few places to pull over on an interstate. Some interstates lack shoulders, which means that an accident can block one or more lanes of traffic. This can lead to slowdowns and road rage. Another difference is that it may take a while for help to arrive after a crash. If you are in a desolate location, or if there is a lot of traffic, emergency responders will need extra time to get to your location. Therefore, patience is important. Steps to Take Following an Interstate Accident After an interstate accident, the first step is to stay calm. Attempt to move your car to the shoulder or side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights and headlights. You may need to exit your vehicle to make your car visible to others through reflectors or flares. If you do, proceed carefully. Remember, cars are traveling at high speeds and may not see you exiting your vehicle. If there is no room for you to move over the car and the traffic level is out of control, it may be wise to simply stay in your car and call for help. If you can still drive the car, it may be best to continue to drive it until you can exit the interstate safely. If the car requires repair, call a tow truck and wait patiently inside your vehicle. Don’t try to flag down other motorists for help. Stopping on an interstate is very dangerous, and could cause another accident. It may take some time for help to arrive, but be patient. Don’t put others at risk. Once help arrives, you may proceed in post-accident activities, such as getting personal and insurance information from the other driver involved and getting evidence of the crash. This will help your Orlando interstate accident attorney as they proceed to work on your behalf to assist you in recovering the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
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