As Americans, we spend a lot of time in our cars. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average person puts 13,476 miles on the odometer a year, roughly the equivalent of driving between New York and Los Angeles five times.
At an average speed of 45 miles per hour, that’s almost 300 hours, or a little over two weeks. Given how much time drivers spend on the road, it pays to have some car essentials on hand for unexpected situations.
What Should You Keep in Your Car at All Times?
There are a few things to keep in your car in case you run into trouble.
A basic emergency kit should include:
- A flashlight with spare or extra batteries
- A phone charger and portable power bank
- A basic first-aid kit (e.g., Band Aids, gauze, hand sanitizer, etc.)
- Jumper cables or a portable battery charger
- Drinking water and nonperishable snacks
- A tire-pressure gauge
- A spare tire, jack, and lug wrench
- A paper map or atlas
- Duct tape and a utility knife
- An ice scraper and snow brush for winter weather
- Paper towels
- Reusable shopping bags
- Wet wipes
If you make frequent road trips, add the following essential items to your car kit:
- A basic tool kit
- A reflective vest, warning triangles, and/or road flares
- A blanket, gloves, and rain poncho
- Lip balm, hand cream, nail file, and hair ties
- A fire extinguisher rated for automotive use
- An empty gas container
Do You Have Your Car Accident Kit?
While some items in your car address routine situations, you also need accident-specific supplies.
Here’s an important car essentials list:
- Current insurance cards and vehicle registration
- A written list of emergency contacts
- A pen and a notepad for recording critical information
- A card listing your medical conditions and allergies, any medications you’re on, and the contact info of regular healthcare providers
- A small tape measure for recording skid marks, debris locations, and visible damage (if possible)
- Sealable envelope or folder for storing exchange forms, receipts, and other paperwork
- An extra car seat, in case one gets damaged in the collision
Essential Steps to Take After a Car Accident in North Carolina
If you’re involved in a car accident in North Carolina, knowing what to do is crucial in case you need to file an injury claim later.
Start by:
- Calling the authorities ‒ North Carolina law requires you to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency when a crash results in injury or death.
- Take photos and gather information ‒ If possible, take photos of the accident scene and get the contact info of the drivers involved and any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention ‒ Even if you don’t feel hurt, seeing a doctor may detect early signs of serious injuries. Tell the doctor you were in a crash.
- Check your auto insurance policy ‒ Most insurers have notification deadlines for accident claims. Failure to do so could cause you to lose protections in your policy. Keep your statements simple and factual. Don’t provide a recorded statement, make guesses about fault, or accept a settlement offer without talking to a car accident lawyer first.
- Organize the evidence ‒ Keep any evidence you were able to gather at the scene, as well as your own written account of what happened, in a folder. Get copies of your medical bills and the police accident report of the crash.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
With nearly 100 years of combined experience, the car accident attorneys at Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. represent clients in Durham, throughout the Triangle, and Sanford. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
