Atlanta Road Emergency
What to Do If You’re Stranded in a Road Emergency
If you become stalled or stranded in your vehicle in an Atlanta Road Emergency, the most important thing you can do for yourself, and your passengers, is to REMAIN CALM. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE unless help is within 100 yards of your location. Your vehicle is a good shelter during any weather, but especially in inclement weather.
Attempting to reposition your vehicle by pushing it in any weather or shoveling snow and ice in storm conditions takes a great deal of effort. Avoid overexertion – cold weather puts added strain on the heart and you risk heart attack, injury or making other medical conditions worse. In cold, winter weather, wet clothing loses its insulation value, putting you at risk of hypothermia. Be safe.
If you are stuck during daylight hours, tie a brightly colored cloth to your vehicle’s antennae to alert rescuers to your situation. If you are stuck during night hours, remove the cover from your dome light and turn the light on. Road crews and rescue personnel can see a small glow from a considerable distance. To reduce the risk of draining your vehicle’s battery, use emergency flashers only if you hear approaching vehicles.
If your vehicle is stuck in the snow, keep its exhaust pipe clear of any snow and ice to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Better to be cold and awake than warm and sleepy. Run your vehicle with a downwind window open slightly for ventilation. Run your vehicle only long enough to keep warm – approximately ten minutes every hour. Run the heat while the car is running.
During winter months, cover exposed skin. Watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Do minor exercises to circulation flowing. Try not to stay in one position for too long – clap your hands and occasionally move your arms and legs. For warmth, huddle together. In additional to blankets, you can use maps or newspapers or even car mats for added insulation. If more than one person is in the vehicle, keep one person on watch; don’t allow all vehicle occupants to sleep at the same time.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident in or around Atlanta, you should contact Rice McGowan & Brandt as soon as possible to understand your rights; contact us or call 404-800-5940 to learn more.
