A recent death of a stranded motorist on a Houston highway leads me to offer information to readers that may help them if they find they are stranded themselves on a public roadway.
I cannot begin this entry without first reminding readers that proactive auto maintenance is the best cure for avoiding finding oneself in a situation where you are stranded. For instance, according to reports this person had run out of gas on the highway and had to pull off to the berm. I have mentioned in previous blogs that keeping your gas sufficiently filled with fuel may be the simplest and one of the most effective ways to avoid an accident - a deadly one in this case.
In fact, proper and regular vehicle maintenance is the number one way to prevent you or your loved ones from being stranded on the side of the road - and an unsuspecting target for other drivers.
IF YOU ARE STRANDED - pull off the road as far as possible...and do not exit from the driver's side of the car - but crawl across the vehicle and get out on the passenger's side - placing you as far away from streaming traffic as possible. (However, if you are single and it is night time then remain in the car with the doors locked but still seat yourself on the passenger's side).
Be sure to put your emergency lights on. Dial both emergency services such as the highway patrol and towing services at the same time. The more people you have coming to your aid - the better.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston accident attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with an injury attorney in Houston call the Baumgartner firm.
