If Im in a Texas water crash, do I get out right away, or should I wait for the car to sink?
A: You’ve seen it in countless movies- the hero crashes off a bridge and into the water below. He waits calmly until the car fills with water, takes a deep breath, and swims to safety—completely unharmed and ready to save the day.
Unfortunately, moviemakers are just telling a story, not preparing drivers for a real-life catastrophe. Waiting for the car to fill with water (and the pressure on the doors to equalize) may prove too difficult for most victims. So what do you do?
To survive a Houston car crash in water, you have to follow these crucial steps:
Remain calm. The car will float in the seconds after the crash. Take a deep breath, and prepare for the next step.
Unbuckle and unlock. Many people forget to unbuckle their seatbelts. Unbuckle as soon as possible and unlock the door nearest to you.
Open the door. Studies show that the easiest way to survive a water landing is to escape the vehicle as soon as possible. Push hard against the door and swim out; if the door won’t budge, roll down the window and ease yourself into the water.
Wait for the car to fill ONLY if the water is shallow and the door won’t move. If you are unable to free yourself, wait for the car to submerge, take a deep breath, and force the door open.
As experiencedHouston accident attorneys, we know how traumatizing these accidents can be. That’s why we urge all drivers to educate themselves for their best chances of survival in an accident and to get help when they have been injured by someone else’s careless driving.
To get a free consultation with a board-certified Texas injury lawyer, call Vujasinovic & Beckcom today at (877) 724-7800. You can also order our FREE guide, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Texas Car Accident Case, by filling out the form to the right.
