Cars are a crucial part of everyday life for most of us. They take us to and from work, school, church, doctor appoints, etc. Unfortunately, its impossible to predict when or where your car is going to break down, not start, or get a flat tire. These little headaches are next to impossible to avoid, and most of us have probably dealt with one or more of these issues in the not so distant past.

Driving a car or riding in one also brings with it the risk of being in an accident. According to car insurance averages, you will probably get in 3-4 accidents over the course of your life. Fortunately, these accidents will more than likely not be deadly, but they can still cause a major headache for you.

As an experienced car accident lawyer, I’ve heard many stories from clients who have gotten into sticky situations involving their cars. While I can’t help you avoid car troubles or accidents, I can help you be more prepared should you find yourself in one of these situations.

Here’s a list of emergency supplies you should always have in your car:

First-aid kit- A first-aid kit will come in handy more than you expect! If you have kids, its always a good idea to have one in case of any accidents. Also, if you get into a car accident, you will be able to begin treating any minor injuries while you wait on paramedics.

Flashlight- If you have car troubles early in the morning before the sun has risen or late at night after it has set, you’ll need a flashlight to see what’s going on. A flashlight will be helpful if you need to look under your car’s hood, change a tire, or walk to the nearest gas station. Make sure your flashlight has working batteries in it and that you have a spare set in your car.

Cash- Its so easy for us to go weeks at a time without needing cash since most of us use our debit or credit cards. Keeping some cash hidden in a safe compartment is always a good idea in case you lose your wallet or find yourself using a vendor or retailer who doesn’t accept debit cards or has a debit card system that isn’t working.

Food and water- Having water and non perishable snacks in your car at all times may seem like overkill, but if you find yourself stranded and in need of food and water you’ll thank yourself. In a worst case scenario, having food and water in your car could save your life. Remember Atlanta’s “snowmageddon” in 2014? Food and water were definitely coveted items for many stranded motorists.

Jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper- I’m sure most of you have, at some point, experienced a dead car battery. It happens to most of us more than once! Having a dead battery in an isolated area or when you’re on vacation can be a huge hassle. Keeping jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper can help you easily take care of a dead battery situation.

Car cell phone charger- We all know the headache that comes with a dead cell phone battery. Generally, a dead cell phone battery is just a minor annoyance. However, if you are stranded due to a broken down car or have been in a car accident, a dead cell phone can pose a real problem. Keeping a charger for your cell phone in the car is always a good idea.

Keeping the aforementioned items in your car in case of an emergency can help bring you peace of mind and help you feel better prepared. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and you are in need of a car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer, call me today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.