The Top 9 Necessities for A Road Trip Checklist

Creating a checklist before departing on a road trip can help you avoid several different types of worst-case scenarios. A lot can go wrong during your journey, even if your road trip is covering a short distance. Vehicles may break down, or they can be unsafe for driving. Creating a checklist helps you prepare for the worst-case scenarios. We have created a list of nine necessities for a road trip checklist.

1. Check vehicle’s fluid levels: It’s best to know if your car has unsafe fluid levels before departing on your trip. Check windshield wiper, transmission and coolant fluid levels before leaving. You can also check the date you are required to perform an oil change.
2. Inspect your tires: Never drive vehicle with unsafe tires. For example, tires with poor tread may cause the car to hydroplane during rainy weather. Check your tread level by using the “quarter trick”. Take a quarter and stick it in the tread of all your vehicle’s tires. If the top of Washington’s head is showing, consider installing new tires. In addition, check for wear and tear. Holes and tears in your tire may cause a blowout accident.
3. Examine and service your battery: You can wind up stranded if your car battery fails. Imagine being stuck at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere. Not fun. To prevent this from happening, check your battery with a voltmeter or probe and make sure the terminals are clean. WikiHow has an interactive guide that can show you how to safely check a battery. Servicing a battery can be dangerous. In some cases, this is best left to a professional.
4. Stock up on emergency supplies: Stock your vehicle with emergency supplies. These supplies may include first aid kits, flashlights, flares, blankets, repair tools, water and food. Bring a GPS navigation system in case you get lost.
5. Check your brakes: Unless you know how to already, have a repair shop examine your brake pads and rotors. Check the thickness of the pads.
6. Install traffic and weather apps: Some smartphone apps will alert you to hazardous traffic or weather conditions. Install these on your phone before leaving. Google Maps can provide you with real-time traffic information. The NOAA’s app provides users with weather alerts. Be sure not to glance at the apps while driving.
7. Inspect your car seats: Make sure your car or booster seats are installed correctly if you are traveling with children. An estimated 80 percent of child car seats are installed incorrectly. In the event of an accident, and incorrectly installed seat can raise the risk of fatal or catastrophic injuries. Check to see if you have the right type of car seat by reading our recent blog on this subject.
8. Bring basic necessities: Bring sunglasses, a spare set of car keys and cash for toll roads. Cell phone signal boosters can help you stay in contact with loved ones during your trip. These are available for purchase on Amazon.
9. Check for recalls: Use safercar.gov to make sure your vehicle is not under recall. Do not use your vehicle for a road trip if your manufacturer has issued a recall. Enter your VIN (vehicle identification number) into the website’s search engine to pull current recall information.

What to Do If You Are Injured on Your Journey

If you or loved ones are injured in a car accident during your journey, seek immediate medical attention. Depending on the circumstances, try to write down as much as possible about what happened and take photos of the wreck if you are able. If an adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company calls you, tell them you cannot talk at this time and hang up the phone. Your next step should be to contact a Texas car accident attorney.Attorneys can defend you from insurance companies that do not have your needs in mind. In addition, they may also discover additional ways you can recover damages from an accident. These damages may help pay for medical bills, lost income and rehabilitation costs.

What’s the Secret to Avoiding Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents kill and injure thousands of Americans on U.S. interstates and highways every year. As you may have learned from our blog last week, these accidents may cause catastrophic injuries. Survivors may suffer brain injuries, paralysis from spinal cord injuries and disfigurement. Many people involved in these accidents lose their lives. It is crucial for motorists to be extra cautious while driving in close proximity to these large vehicles. There is no secret to avoiding truck accidents, but there are many tips you can utilize that will reduce your chances.

• Avoid blind spots at all costs: Semi-trucks have several blind spots that make it difficult for truckers to see motorists. These spots are located next to the driver’s side and passenger side doors on trucks. Blind spots are also located directly behind and in front of these vehicles.
• Give trucks space: Never follow too closely behind semi-trucks. It is impossible to see obstacles in the road in front of these vehicles. If a truck comes to abrupt stop and you following too closely behind, you are at high risk of being involved in an underride accident. These accidents occur when passenger vehicles are forced underneath semi-truck trailers. Following too closely in front of trucks is also dangerous, as these vehicles need more than 525 feet to come to a complete stop.
• Use extra caution when passing: Pass trucks as quickly and safely as possible. Always use your turn signals beforehand to let the truck’s driver know what you are doing. Avoid abrupt lane changes or movements that could startle the driver.
• Be cautious of weather: Certain weather conditions make truck accidents more likely. For example, heavy rain, snow and windy weather can make driving near semi-trucks more dangerous. Be prepared for semi-trucks to stop at any moment during adverse weather conditions.
• Pay attention to what the truck is doing: Always remain extra attentive when driving around semi-trucks. Pay close attention to turn signals and brake lights.
• Keep a close eye on other drivers: Other people may drive unsafely around trucks, which may cause an accident. Pay closer attention when you see nearby vehicles attempting to pass trucks. Keep in mind that accidents are more likely to occur during this time.
• Pull over as far as possible: Always leave other vehicles and trucks enough space when you are pulling over on the side of the road. Truck drivers who are not paying attention may be at higher risk of colliding with vehicles that have pulled over.

Even if You Are Extra Careful, Truck Accidents are Still Possible

In many cases, people drive safely and are still involved in truck accidents. That is because commercial carriers and drivers may be negligent or reckless. Commercial drivers may be intoxicated, fatigued, or they can forget to perform maintenance. Trucking companies may hire unqualified drivers who put everyone else at risk. The sad truth is: even if you follow this guide perfectly, it does not guarantee you can avoid a truck accident.The Texas truck accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are dedicated to advocating for the rights of truck crash survivors and their family members.