What to Do if There’s No Safe Place to Pull Over After a Crash

You’ve just been hit by another vehicle, and as your heart races, you realize there’s nowhere to pull over. Cars fly past, there’s no shoulder in sight, and you’re unsure what to do next. It’s a terrifying situation that many drivers never think about until it happens to them.

Being involved in a car accident becomes even more stressful and dangerous when it happens in a place where you can’t safely pull over, like a busy highway, bridge, or narrow rural road. Our Appleton car accident lawyers explain what to do if you’re in a crash and there’s no obvious safe place to stop.

Safe vs. Unsafe Places to Pull Over

After an accident, most people’s instinct is to pull over immediately, but doing so in an unsafe location can put you, your passengers, and other drivers at even greater risk.

Safe places to stop:

• A wide highway shoulder or designated breakdown lane
• A nearby parking lot, rest stop, or side street
• A visible section of the road with enough space to move out of traffic

Unsafe places to stop:

• Narrow or nonexistent shoulders
• Blind curves or hills where visibility is low
• Bridges, tunnels, or construction zones with no exit lane
• Active traffic lanes, especially on high-speed highways

If the area where the crash occurred is clearly dangerous, staying there is not your safest option. Instead, take steps to alert other drivers while you look for a safer spot.

What to Do When You Can’t Immediately Pull Over

If there’s no safe place to stop right after the crash, follow these steps to protect yourself and others:

• Turn On Your Hazard Lights: This signals to other drivers that something is wrong and you’re trying to slow down or stop. It’s a crucial first step in preventing a secondary collision.
  
• Slow Down and Steer as Far to the Right as Possible: Even if there’s no shoulder, try to position your vehicle out of the direct flow of traffic. Reducing your speed also minimizes the risk of additional crashes.

• Move to a Safer Location if You Can: If there’s no immediate safe space, it’s generally acceptable to drive a short distance to find one, like the next exit, a parking lot, or a wide shoulder. Keep your hazard lights on and drive cautiously while doing so.

• Exit the Vehicle Only When It’s Safe: If traffic is heavy or fast-moving, it may be safer to stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives. If you do need to exit, do so from the side away from traffic and move to a safe distance from the roadway.
  
• Call for Help: If you can’t move your car or traffic conditions are especially hazardous, call 911 and explain the situation. Emergency responders can help control the scene and direct traffic until it’s safe.

Will Leaving the Immediate Crash Scene Affect Liability?

Many drivers worry that moving their vehicle after a crash could be seen as leaving the scene, but safety comes first, and Wisconsin law recognizes that. If there’s an immediate danger to your safety or the safety of others, you can move your vehicle to a secure location before exchanging information or waiting for police.

Here’s what’s most important:

• Do Not Leave the General Area: Moving a short distance to find safety is very different from fleeing the scene.
  
• Contact Law Enforcement as Soon as Possible: If injuries or more than $1,000 in damage are involved, calling 911 is required.
  
• Document everything: Take photographs of both vehicles, any damage, and the area where the crash occurred before moving. This evidence can help your Appleton car accident lawyers later.

Protect Your Rights After a Crash

Even when you do everything right, insurance companies may still try to use the fact that you drove away from the immediate crash site against you. That’s why having experienced legal representation matters. A lawyer can gather evidence, explain your actions in context, and protect your right to compensation.

Contact Our Appleton Car Accident Lawyers Today

No one plans for a crash, and they certainly don’t plan for it to happen where there’s no safe place to pull over. However, how you respond in those critical moments can make a difference for your safety and claim.

At Brain Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we help Wisconsin drivers understand their rights and fight for the compensation they deserve after serious accidents. If you were injured in a crash, contact our Appleton car accident lawyers for a free consultation. Let us handle the legal details while you focus on recovery.