Being prepared can’t help you avoid every bad event that could possibly occur, but it can help you respond more effectively if you are ever in such a situation. Even if you want to believe you’ll never get into a car accident or have mechanical troubles in a location where you can’t get help easily, these could happen to you. Keeping your car stocked with the necessary supplies makes it easier for you to manage these scenarios.
Here are some key items to keep in your car at all times:
General Supplies
First Aid Kit
You never know when you could have a scrape or cut that needs to be bandaged. Keeping a first aid kit in your car helps you address this quickly. You can find more extensive kits for emergencies, or just keep a simple one available.
Cell Phone Charger
If you’ve ever had your phone die unexpectedly, you know how helpful it can be to have a charger available.
Cleaning Supplies
This is especially helpful if you have kids in your car and allows you to clean up any unexpected messes quickly.
Supplies For Mechanical Issues
Jumper Cables & Battery Booster
If your car battery dies, jumper cables are a must-have. These alone are important to have and can be used if someone is willing to stop and help jump-start your car, but they won’t be enough if you don’t have access to another vehicle at the time. A battery booster allows you to jump-start your dead battery on your own.
Flashlight
You won’t be able to see what’s wrong with your car if it’s dark outside. A flashlight helps you do this. Be sure you have spare batteries as well.
Tire Jack, Spare Tire, And Lug Wrench
If you blow a tire, these are the items you’ll need to get your car to the nearest repair shop without a tow truck. If your car has locking lug nuts, you’ll also need a lug nut key.
WD-40
This comes in handy if you are having trouble loosening a nut or bolt.
Supplies For Car Accidents
Documentation
You should have your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance information with you in your vehicle at all times. This is important to provide if you’ve been in an accident, and you’ll also need it if you’re stopped by law enforcement.
Flares Or Reflective Triangles
You should only set these up if you can safely do so, but when possible, it can help block off the area of the accident.
Pen And Paper
After an accident, you’ll need to take down information from the other party or parties. While you may assume you can use your phone to do this, it’s helpful to have a backup just in case your phone dies or is broken in the accident.
What To Do After An Accident
If you were involved in a car accident, the experience is likely overwhelming, even if you have all the supplies above. Grabb & Durando can help you navigate the aftermath of a car accident and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve if the other party was at fault.
