As all Staten Island drivers can attest, driving around here is dangerous and stressful. And, as we have discussed in the past, the statistics bare this fact out.
Indeed, according to the New York City Department of Transportation, in 2023, there have already been about 100,000 motor vehicle accidents in New York City. That has translated into over 50,000 injuries and over 200 deaths. This means that many of us are looking for ways to prepare for these crashes.
Emergency Kits
An emergency kit helps mitigate the ill effects of a crash or vehicle breakdown. For example, it should include a first aid kit to treat any immediate medical conditions prior to an EMT arrival. Include a flashlight, jumper cables, fire extinguishers, emergency flashers, reflective triangles, etc. There are commercially available emergency kits, but you can create one yourself.
Some things that will not be available are your personal information and documentation. Make sure you have a copy of your car insurance, driver’s license, emergency contacts and registration information. If you have any allergies, make sure that information is contained in the kit as well, and if you have severe medical conditions and allergies, you should also likely have a medical bracelet.
Get a Dash Cam
One of the best ways to prepare for a car crash is to install a dashboard camera in your vehicle. Depending on the dash cam you choose, it can record both audio and video. They can also record the front, back, sides and interior of the vehicle as you drive. Should an impact occur, it automatically saves a record of the accident, which can include GPS coordinates, speed and other information.
The records can be vital, especially where the other negligent driver disputes your version of events. It is common for at-fault drivers to lie or even flee after a car accident, but the footage from a dash cam serves as proof of what actually happened. And, if they do flee, dash cam footage can be used to find them.
If you can afford to have it professionally installed, that is usually the better option to ensure proper installation and operation. They are designed to be installed by untrained people.
After the Car Accident
Being prepared now is the key because you never know when or where a crash will occur. But, if you prepare for one now, you will have a much better chance of a positive outcome when a car accident occurs.