Vehicle Emergency Essentials Every Driver Should Have
What Do I Do When I See Road Debris Ahead?
How You Can Stay Safe on Missouri’s Highways and Roads
When a collision occurs as you’re driving along the highway, you have to make quick decisions. This situation can catch you off guard, and you’ll likely breathe a sigh of relief once you pass it. We’ll teach you how to get through it in one piece and what to do if you don’t. Kemna Collision Repair in Jefferson City, Mo can help if your car gets damaged.
Should I Brake or Swerve for Collision Debris?
If you see road debris ahead, prepare to avoid it. Slow down if necessary, and move over if you still have plenty of time to do so safely. This will let the cars behind you have time to dodge the obstacle too.
If the debris is blocking the road, come to a stop. It’s safer to pull over while you do this to avoid being rear-ended. Once you are safely stopped and not at risk of being hit by other cars, report the road debris to MODOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) through their handy online form.
Never attempt to clear the debris yourself. The authorities will send the proper personnel to direct traffic and move the objects safely.
How to Safely Avoid Trash or Debris on the Highway
When you’re zooming down a highway with a pack of cars, collision debris might seem to come out of nowhere. You won’t have that much time to react.
Your first instinct may be to swerve. But this is dangerous if you don’t have time to check your surroundings and make sure that they’re clear. If you must swerve, head toward the shoulder. Avoid turning into oncoming traffic. If you end up in the path of other moving vehicles, you put yourself and others in danger of a collision.
If you don’t have razor-sharp reflexes and you’re quickly approaching the object, it’s safer to break than swerve. Hit on the brakes without turning the wheel. At worst, your car will hit the debris, but this usually causes less damage than a collision with a moving vehicle you swerved into. If the worst happens and you do hit the debris or another vehicle, you can always receive top-quality collision repair from Kemna Collision Repair in Jefferson City, Mo.
Help! I Hit Road Debris in Mid-Missouri – Collision Repair Jefferson City MO
If you drive the speed limit and allow for plenty of space between yourself and the car in front of you, you should be able to avoid collision debris. Stay aware of your surroundings so that you can swerve if you encounter an unexpected object on the road.
Sometimes, you can’t avoid hitting the object. If possible, pull over and call the non-emergency phone number for the
Cole County Sheriff's office at 573-634-9160. File an accident report and document the debris that you collided with. This will help you file a claim with your insurance.
If the damage is minor, you can bring your car in for paintless dent repair at Kemna Collision Repair in Jefferson City, Mo. Sometimes, the debris will bounce up and hit your windshield. At Kemna Collision Repair, we can fix your windshield quickly. If your car has sustained major damage, give us a call and we can tow your car to our auto body shop in Jefferson City. We will help get you back on the road safely and quickly.
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