What to Do If Trapped Inside Your Car After an Accident

Being involved in an automobile accident is scary even in situations that are seemingly minor. Certain circumstances can make car accidents terrifying.

One of the most overwhelming outcomes of a crash is becoming trapped within your vehicle. In many instances, particularly rollover crashes, victims find themselves trapped within their vehicle. Even if you’ve only experienced minor injuries and are able to move your body safely, vehicle damage can prevent you from exiting. It is then that many victims begin to panic. Thousands of scenarios go through a person’s mind when they are trapped, but it is important that you remain calm and keep the following tips in mind if you find yourself in such a situation:

• Look for witnesses as soon as possible to determine whether 911 has been called. If you cannot see witnesses, try to locate your cell phone as safely as possible. Many vehicles are equipped with On Star for emergency situations, as well as hands-free calling. These items come in very handy in the event of a crash, especially if you’re trapped inside the vehicle.
• If you’re upside down, you will want to remove your seat belt so that you can be more comfortable and ready for rescue when it arrives. Before doing so, however, make sure to brace yourself for the coming fall. Place your arm or elbow against the ceiling of the car so that your head doesn’t take the full force of the fall.
• If your vehicle ends up in any amount of water, attempt to roll your windows down before the vehicle’s electricity gives out.
• If you have a Seatbelt Cutter Window Breaker Emergency Escape Tool in your vehicle, use it if the surrounding area seems safe.

These tips may seem obvious, but when involved in a crash many people have a hard time remembering even the simplest things. Keeping pointers simple is many times more effective than any other method of education.