Safety Tips for After an Accident Occurs

Traffic accidents are certainly a reality all of us face each day during our daily commutes, or on long trips. In fact, about 10 million accidents occur each year, which boils down to about one accident every 18 years for the average American driver. Unfortunately, distracted driving accounts for a large majority of the reason for accidents, which outweighs things like drunk driving, and hazardous road conditions. In the case that you do get in an accident, we wanted to provide helpful tips to ensure safety for both drivers after an accident has occurred.

• Pull off the road, if possible- A small fender bender typically will not render your car immobile upon impact. If the accident is not severe, it is a good idea to get both cars off of the road to avoid a rear end accident from traffic coming from behind. 
• Determine if you have suffered any severe injury- It is never a good idea to force yourself to move after an accident has occurred. If the impact was severe enough, moving from your vehicle can actually cause more harm then good. If you find yourself in extreme pain, do not get out immediately. Call 911 as soon as the accident occurs, and allow the ambulance to assist you in exiting the vehicle. 
• Check on the other party- In the case that you have not suffered a major injury, it is a good idea to check on the other person involved in the collision. Collect any insurance information they have, as well as information from the tow company if either of the vehicles are towed. 
• File report with police, record any witnesses-Witness testimonials are a way to help give context to the accident, as well as having a third perspective. Ask any witnesses to stay until the police arrive to have their statements recorded. 

Above all, having a firm recognition of the situation at hand is truly the best piece of advice after any collision. If you are in extreme pain, it is not a good idea to try to move yourself from the situation because it can cause you more harm then good. If there is suspicion that you or the other party may be in need of medical assistance, call an ambulance right away. Obeying any police orders is crucial to ensuring an accurate police report, as well as remaining safe after the accident has happened. Above all, using common sense in any scenario is truly the surefire way or proceeding with the utmost caution, making sure no one gets injured along the way. For additional information on what to do after an accident, check out Car Care's article here!

Please visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Yelp.    

Towing: Tips and Proper Procedure for Hauling with your Truck/SUV

Well, it's almost that time a year again where we load up the family in the SUV and find the nearest watering hole to drag the boat out to. Summer is upon us, and families nationwide are starting to gear up for the warm weather in more ways than one. One of the first things you should look at before hauling something is the tow capacity of that particular vehicle. Depending on the specific tongue weight of the vehicle, it is grouped into different classes that have different tow capacities, listed here: Class I: 2,000 lbs, maximum / Class II: 3,500 lbs, maximum / Class III: 5,000 lbs, maximum / Class IV: 10,000 lbs, maximum. Typically, you can find this information on the door jamb of your vehicle, or in the owner's manual. Next you'll want to find the weight of what you are carrying, ensuring your vehicle is able to handle the weight. There are several different tips to keep in mind before towing a vehicle, most of them are standard vehicle procedures:

• Air Pressure- Not only your trailer, but your car should have the proper air pressure before any long haul. It is a good idea to set the pressure about 5 psi higher, as it can help with the pay load from the weight of the trailer.
• Safety Chains-  All trailers should be equipped with safety chains. These are to be hooked to the frame of the truck in the case that the trailer comes loose, it will save it from detaching from the truck.
• Trailer Brakes- If your trailer is equipped with brakes, ensure proper pad depth, and that they function as they are supposed to.
•  Brake Lights- Ensure that your tail lights work through the trailer brake light switch. 
• Wheel Chucks- Whenever you plan to park a trailer somewhere, getting a set of wheel chucks is a surefire way to ensure that your trailer doesn't roll while it is parked! 

 As always, if you have any extensive questions that this blog does not cover, be sure to consult with your owners manual or the manufacturer. Any haul should be planned out, including any stops that may be needed in addition to the necessary towing supplies one will need. It is always a good idea to have things handy like tow straps, rope, hooks, and a few other essentials. Your vehicle's tow capacity is unique, and can be learned more about in Car Care's article here. Never load your vehicle past its suggested tongue weight, and always be cautious when driving with a trailer. Slow and steady is the best way to combat any uncertainties when driving with a trailer, be careful out there this summer!