What’s in an Emergency Car Kit?
Unexpected emergencies can happen just about any time and anywhere. While people know the importance of a wildfire evacuation kit, first aid kit, and similar equipment in the event of emergency, car emergency kits aren’t usually given a second thought.
But considering the country spends over 96 billion hours on the road annually (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety), it’s no surprise that American drivers seem to always be on the go. Whether it’s school, work, home, or a trip, people are out and about, and many pick the comfort of their vehicle over other methods of transportation.
This is why having an emergency car kit is highly essential. Learn more about what to keep in your kit and how personal injury lawyers in California can help your claim after an accident.
Hurt in a car accident? Call the BD&J law firm at 888-648-8102.
When Can an Emergency Car Kit Come in Handy?
An emergency car kit can come in handy when it comes to different emergency situations, including:
- Flat tires
- A dead car battery
- Cases of extreme weather, like heavy rain or severe heat waves
- Other mechanical failures to your vehicle
Things Every Car Kit Should Have in Case of an Emergency
So, what does your car kit need? Some of the essentials California personal injury lawyers recommend for an emergency kit to have in your vehicle include:
Spare Tire
Punctured tires can cause serious blowouts, loss of vehicle control, and serious accidents involving other vehicles. If you have a flat tire while on the road, it’s better to address this as soon as possible to prevent bigger consequences.
Carrying a spare tire that fits your vehicle is key and provides you with peace of mind.
Tire Iron and Jack
Of course, you need a tire iron and jack to successfully change your car’s tire. A tire iron is meant to remove the lug nuts that clamp the wheel to the car, and a jack helps to lift the vehicle to safely remove the affected tire.
Jumper Cables
Jumper cables can come in handy when it comes to powering up a dead battery. These cables are used to transfer power from a working power from a working battery to a dead one.
Flashlight and Extra Batteries
If you’re working to change a spare tire or dealing with a car issue on the side of the road, a flashlight and extra batteries can be key to visibility while fixing a car issue and also bring visibility to you in case you’re on a dark road, as well as help you to see the issue affecting your car.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit filled with bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, hydrocortisone cream, gloves, tweezers, and small scissors can be used to treat non-serious lacerations and other small injuries in case of a car accident or other incident.
Bottled Water
It is always a great idea to have bottled water on hand in case of car troubles during a hot day, to flush out small wounds when rendering first aid, and to temporarily cool down an extremely overheated engine.
Non-Perishable Snacks
Energy bars, jerky, and nuts are just a few of the most handy snacks to keep in an emergency car kit. These snacks can help during a long wait for a tow truck, while waiting for an engine to cool, and in other situations.
How To Deal with a Nighttime Car Emergency
Dealing with a tire blowout or other car issue in the middle of the night can be especially worrying, considering the lack of light and lower visibility when on the road. Deal with a nighttime car emergency safely with the following steps:
- Come to a stop in a shoulder or other safe area on the road. – As in the case of any emergency while you’re in your car, you’ll want to pull over to a wide shoulder area safely. Another great option, if available, is a parking lot.
- Have your emergency lights on. – If you’re on the side of the road when dealing with your car, it’s always best to put your emergency lights on to signal to other traveling vehicles that your car is pulled over.
- Share your location with a loved one. – Let a loved one know your location in case you’re unable to start your car or you need further roadside assistance.
- Use a flashlight to brighten up your work area and show motorists you’re there. – This is where the flashlight from your emergency car kit helps.
Personal Injury Lawyers in California: Car Accidents are on the Rise
California’s hefty population, tourist destinations, and expansive roadways are some of the most common reasons why so many drivers are on the road. Unfortunately, this also means a higher risk for car accidents.
Data shows us that California traffic accidents are only going up:
- In 2025, there were 16,768 crashes that led to fatalities or serious injuries (TIMS).
- Los Angeles and San Diego are the top 2 counties with the most crashes (TIMS).
- The two groups suffering the most fatalities in vehicle crashes in California are car occupants and pickup and SUV occupants (IIHS).
- 73% of car accidents that occurred in California took place on urban roads (IIHS).
California’s large cities are often the site of serious car accidents, many of which can have devastating or life-altering consequences for drivers and passengers. This is where a personal injury lawyer can step in to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Do If I Can’t Afford Medical Treatment After a Car Accident?
Medical costs, car repairs, and other expenses can seem especially overwhelming if you’re unable to work while recovering from accident injuries. If your injuries were directly caused by another party, a personal injury claim can help you recover compensation to cover these costs and other future expenses.
What Other Compensation Can I Recover in an Accident Claim?
Other compensation you can recover in an accident claim can include lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and, in cases where the responsible party committed similar violations in the past, punitive damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
You have 2 years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury claim for compensation.
When Can I Expect My Accident Case to Settle?
Every car accident case is different, so it’s hard to assign a specific timeline. Some cases may take months, while other more complicated or severe cases may take up to a year or more.
What Are Signs of a Good Settlement Offer?
Some signs you’ve received a good settlement offer are that it covers all current and future expenses related to your injuries, it provides transparent calculations for your reference, it includes pain and suffering damages, and it accounts for the full value of your case.
What Are Common Car Accident Injuries I Could Be Compensated For?
Frequent car accident injuries detailed in claims include brain injuries, spine injuries, other catastrophic injuries, soft tissue injuries, broken bones, and burns.
Am I Responsible if a Pedestrian Caused My Car Accident?
If a pedestrian causes an accident due to ignoring traffic signals and crossing an intersection anyway, walking outside of a designated pedestrian area, or committing erratic acts while impaired, you may be free of liability.
What if My Accident Involved Multiple Vehicles?
Even if your car accident involves multiple vehicles, you’ll still have to find a safe spot, report the accident, exchange information with other drivers, and get treated for your injuries. You will most likely
California uses comparative negligence to divide fault among the cars that were the direct catalysts for an accident. However, determining fault among multiple drivers can often cause disputes and lack of accountability, which is why working with a personal injury attorney is key.
How Do I Know I’ve Found a Good Attorney for My Case?
A good attorney for your case will typically come from a law firm with years of experience, case results that speak for themselves, and with prior experience handling cases similar to yours.
Fortunately, free consultations are a great way to meet an attorney, learn about their experience, and get an idea of how they would handle your claim.
Does BD&J Offer Free Consultations?
Absolutely! Our personal injury attorneys are available for completely free consultations Call our officer 24/7 to speak to a real human, not an AI message taker. If you can’t make it to our offices, we’ll come to you.
Do I Have to Pay Upfront to Work with BD&J?
Not at all. We work on a strict contingency fee basis, which means all case costs are advanced to clients, and final attorney fees are deducted from the compensation after a case settles.
This means that you don’t have to worry about paying to bring your case forward, because there are no fees until we win*.
Connect with Expert Personal Injury Lawyers in California with More Than $3 Billion* Recovered in Compensation
In a perfect world, there wouldn’t be unexpected emergencies while you’re on the road. Unfortunately, flat tires, tire blowouts, dead batteries, and other malfunctions are often a part of the gamble that comes with car ownership.
Having an emergency car kit can help in the event of a sudden emergency that leaves you and your passengers on the road, including after a car accident.
If you were involved in a car accident that took place due to another person’s negligent or reckless acts, don’t continue paying expenses out of your own pocket. Talk to one of the advocating California personal injury lawyers from BD&J to get started on your claim!
With offices located in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Pasadena, and other California cities, BD&J attorneys are ready to fight for you! Call us now or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.