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Car Wrecks Happen: Here’s How to Protect Your Family
Nobody wants to be in a car accident, especially not with their loved ones in the vehicle. Unfortunately, wrecks happen more frequently than most of us realize. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, around 3,700 people die globally in fatal wrecks each day.
Although car accidents are sometimes unavoidable, there are several things you can do to protect your family if you’re involved in one. Frank’s European Service shares some measures you can and should take regardless of who is at fault.
Check Your Safety Net
Wrecks happen, sometimes when we least expect them. That’s why it pays to be prepared. If you only pay for liability insurance for your vehicle, consider upgrading to full coverage. In the event of a wreck, comprehensive and collision coverage can significantly affect your financial outcome.
Full coverage insurance is required if you financed or leased your vehicle. Full coverage can be worth the extra money even if you own the vehicle outright. With a bigger safety net in place, you’ll be better able to pay for medical expenses and vehicle damage in the event of a wreck.
You should also check your homeowner’s insurance. It may seem unrelated, but homeowner’s insurance generally covers your belongings inside the vehicle if items are lost or damaged in the crash.
Protection on Paper
In addition to auto insurance, there are other precautions you can take to protect your finances and assets in case of a wreck. One often-overlooked step is to get your car title only in one driver’s name. According to Rodgers & Associates, having a title in one driver’s name limits your liability, regardless of other details.
Why is the title such a crucial precaution? Let’s say your spouse causes an injury wreck while driving your car. A plaintiff could take you to court for your assets, your spouse’s assets, and any jointly-held assets if you both are on the title. However, if you were wise enough to only put the title in your name and not your spouse’s, then a plaintiff could only pursue individual assets. By using a combination of full coverage insurance and a title in the driver’s name only, you can protect your finances and assets from a worst-case scenario.
Accident Prevention
A vital step in protecting your family and your finances during a collision is to prevent a wreck from ever occurring in the first place. With that in mind, here are some precautions to consider:
- Go hands-free. Always use your Bluetooth hands-free option if you need to use your phone while driving. Being on your phone increases the chance of an accident, but being hands-free helps. This is important for personal and business calls. No call is more important than your safety and those around you.
- Obey the law. Follow the speed limits, put down the phone, and don’t drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, ensure everyone in the car is properly buckled up at all times. Some statistics indicate more than half of teens and adults who die in car wrecks aren’t wearing seatbelts.
- Child safety. If you have small children, ensure they’re using the proper safety restraints for their ages. For instance, a rear-facing car seat is a must-have for infants. As your child grows, you can upgrade to a convertible or all-in-one car seat or a booster seat for small children.
- Use public transportation. One way to reduce your chances of being in a wreck is to use a safer travel option, such as public transport. Recent research shows that taking public transportation can be ten times safer per mile than driving. Meanwhile, you’re less likely to experience a wreck while riding a bus than while riding in a car.
Even when you take precautions, there’s only so much you can control, and sometimes accidents are inevitable. It’s a good idea to store some flares in your trunk so you can protect the accident scene, and you’ll also want to keep a reliable charger in your vehicle to keep your device adequately charged in case you need to call emergency services.
None of us want to think about being in an accident with our families. Unfortunately, it’s a very real possibility. By taking appropriate precautions, both in terms of your financial situation and your driving habits, you’ll be better equipped to handle any collisions that come your way.
Frank’s European Service provides excellent foreign auto maintenance, service, and repair for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, VW, Jaguar, Smart Car, Mini Cooper, Lexus, and Sprinter Van owners as well as the other cars owned by our customers. Call 833-689-0044.
