This past winter and early spring have seen the deadly results of multiple highway pileups in several states. Many have been attributed to snow and ice, but rain and fog are also likely to create conditions where interstate pileups can occur.
These complex crashes can be very dangerous. Would you know how to react if you were involved in one? The following tips might help you save your own life and the lives of others around you.
Avoidance is best
It should go without saying, but understanding the conditions that lead to multi-car pileups is the best prevention from becoming involved. Never tailgate. During inclement weather conditions, leave as much room as possible between your car and the bumper of the car ahead of you. Practice defensive driving and consider how you could safely get off the highway in an imminent emergency.
Stay in your car
This can seem counterintuitive after a crash and some situations dictate that getting out and getting clear of the wreckage is safer. But in general, your car and your seatbelt do provide you with a protective cover that you won’t have if you get out.
Realize when it’s safer to exit
Obviously, any threat of fire to your or another person’s vehicle means getting out and getting away from the conflagration. You also don’t want to get accordioned between two big rigs. When you exit your vehicle, move toward the initial impact and away from the debris field of future crashes. Never let yourself get between two vehicles. You may need to leave the crash site completely to get to safer ground.
Sorting out the liability
This is not typically something someone who is untrained in accident reconstruction and Missouri law can do correctly. Your medical bills and property damage costs may be quite extensive. Filing a claim for damages is the first step toward civil justice.
