How to Respond if You Lose Control of Your Vehicle

Michigan law enforcement recently responded to an accident that occurred on Interstate 94 in Roseville. Preliminary investigations revealed that a driver lost control of his vehicle and collided with a median wall as well as a vehicle that was traveling in the opposing direction.

One of the most common causes of drivers losing control of their vehicles is poor weather conditions. Some other causes include brake failure and mechanical problems. While it can be frightening to lose control of your vehicle, there are some things you can do to avoid the risk of ending up in one of these accidents.

Do Not Panic

If you happen to lose control of your vehicle for any reason, you should avoid going into a panic. Letting fear take over while a vehicle is out of control will leave you without the clear judgment you need to take control of the situation. Instead, remain alert and calm, which greatly increases your chances of ending up safe.

Avoid Braking Too Hard

It is understandable: When a car goes out of control, many people’s first instinct is to slam down as hard as possible on the vehicle’s brakes. In reality, this makes the car much more likely to slide out from under a driver and respond more dangerously.

Do Not Accelerate

A number of drivers panic when they lose of their vehicle. Because the accelerator on a vehicle is close to the brake, some people step on a vehicle’s gas in the rush that accompanies loss of control. In reality, however, drivers must avoid accelerating because this greatly increases the odds that they will end up in a deadly accident.

Slowly Steer in the Opposite Direction

If your vehicle is out of control, the best response is to slowly steer the vehicle until you regain control. The best way to do this is to move the vehicle’s steering wheel in the direction you would like to travel.

While it might be tempting to apply a great deal of force, you should do so slowly. Using too much force to steer out of a skid or loss of control can likely leave a vehicle unable to move safely and result in a deadly accident.

Use the Vehicle’s Emergency Brakes

While many of us understand the importance of routine vehicle maintenance, some vehicles end up going out of control because the brakes malfunction due to lack of maintenance.

No matter how a motor vehicle accident occurred, accident victims can end up facing a number of serious complications ranging from life-changing injuries to substantial property damage. If another party was responsible for your accident, an experienced accident attorney in Flint, MI can help you fight for compensation. Contact Jay Trucks & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation. Ph: (800) 762-8623.

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