What You Can Do If Your Vehicle’s Brakes Fail

At the Bachmann-Zeitlin Insurance Agency, we care about your drivers and we want them to stay safe on the roads. We aim to keep you up to date on how to best handle any unforeseen incidents on the road.

You probably get in your car every day without thinking about the brakes failing. Yet it does happen, so it pays to know what to do in the event it ever happens to you. Every driver who spends time on the road should be prepared to take action with a few simple tips in case the brakes ever go out.

To start, you should know if you have anti-lock brakes or regular brakes. Most people will notice a light or a logo inside the car that indicates whether you have anti-lock brakes. If you do not see a light or a logo inside your car, then it’s a good indication that you have regular brakes. If your brakes go out, there’s no need to panic. At the Bachmann-Zeitlin Insurance Agency, we can help you find Philadelphia automobile insurance, and we can also help you deal with the consequences of failed brakes if it results in an accident.

If your brakes fail, you should first downshift to a lower gear. If you have regular brakes, you’ll want to pump the brakes because this builds up brake fluid pressure. If you pump your brakes three or four times and nothing happens, you can use the parking brake. Although it might be scary and uncomfortable, it usually works. Simply apply the brake and be prepared for your car to skid. If you are unsuccessful with both pumping your brakes and applying the emergency brake, you still have another option.

Put the car into low gear and steer as safely as you can off the road. Your car should eventually roll to a stop with this method. Be careful not to turn your steering wheel too hard, but make sure that it’s turned hard enough to get you to the side of the road safely. While all of this is happening, you might want to use your horn to send a signal to other drivers who are in your path of travel. Failing brakes are no joke, but with the right insurance company by your side, you can rest assured that you’ll be covered in the event you hit another car, or if someone hits you. If you’re looking for car insurance in Philadelphia, we can help you find a policy that works for you. At the Bachmann-Zeitlin Insurance Agency, we’re always prepared to give you the best insurance available in Pennsylvania.