Getting Out Of A Trapped Car After an Accident
Local 10 News recently reported that a man had to be taken to a hospital after he ended up trapped under a car. Officials asserted that the 82-year-old man was rescued when fire units and a hazmat team lifted the car up and safely got him out. The man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center with a head injury, but was alert.
Understanding the Dangers of Vehicle Entrapments
For unspecified reasons, this incident occurred in the parking lot of a shopping center and it remains unclear whether this happened as the result of a motor vehicle collision. However, it is far more common for people to become trapped in or under a car because of a car accident. Rollover crashes in particular make it more likely for victims to find themselves trapped inside the car, and in 2010 alone, more than 7,600 people died in rollover crashes. These crashes are dangerous and have a higher fatality rate than other kinds of crashes. Vehicle entrapments likely contribute to this grim statistic.
And while no driver wants to contemplate this scenario, the time to prepare for a car entrapment is well before an actual event. Knowing what to do in this situation can be imperative in preventing the potentially-catastrophic results that can happen from being trapped in a car.
Preparing in Advance…
- Keep your cell phone charged. A fully charged cell phone should always be available so that you can call for help immediately.
- Acquire emergency tools. Purchase and keep in your vehicle tools such as glass breaking tools and seatbelt cutters that could enable you to break a window to escape or release a seatbelt and free yourself from a vehicle in an emergency.
- Get to know your car. Before you throw your owner’s manual in the glove compartment, read it, and make sure you’re familiar with the location of all the windows, doors, and safety devices in your vehicle.
If You are Trapped in a Vehicle Following a Car Accident…
- Remain calm. For many people, the natural response in this scenario is to begin to panic. However, you will be able to think more rationally the calmer that you are. Remaining calm will also enable you to remember the tools you have available to extract yourself from the vehicle.
- Alert someone. Call 9-1-1 if you can get to your cell phone. You should also concurrently try to alert bystanders of your presence with behavior like honking the horn, banging on windows, and yelling for help.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in an Accident?
Whether the accident occurred because of the negligence of another driver or you were involved in the accident alone, you should understand that you probably have options to recover deserved compensation under Florida law. As the experienced West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm, we have helped many car accident victims and we have the experience that you need to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today to begin.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Tampa, Bradenton, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
local10.com/news/florida/hialeah/man-trapped-under-car-in-hialeah-taken-to-hospital-officials-say
https://www.pendaslaw.com/the-new-federal-campaign-intended-to-help-combat-drugged-driving/
