It’s bound to happen. No matter how careful you are, your windshield is going to break. If you notice a small crack or something more significant in your windshield, you need to address it right away. There are several things you can do right after your windshield breaks to minimize or repair the damage.
Pull Over Safely
The first step after your windshield breaks is getting to safety. Flying debris from other vehicles or bridges can seriously damage your vehicle. Slow down and find a safe location to pull over. Call the police if you suspect someone throwing something from a bridge that caused the damage. They are going to need to take pictures and talk to you about what happened.
Determine If You Can Drive Safely
Once you are in a safe location, take a minute for yourself. Are you okay to drive? After you check on yourself, it’s time to check on your car. If you have a pair of thick gloves, you may want to put them on before getting out. Be careful if you have open-toed shoes or sandals on, small shards of glass may have fallen from your car after your windshield broke.
Take a good look at the break. Is it in your direct line of sight? If it is out of your line of sight, you might be able to drive home. How large is it? Small chips and cracks caused by flying debris often allow you to drive home safely. However, if it is a large crack or one caused by an accident, driving is not recommended.
Document the Break
After looking at the damage to your vehicle, take pictures of it. This is especially important if you were involved in an accident. Document everything you can about the incident. Write down everything that happened or record a voice memo on your phone. If your insurance company has questions or needs to see the damage, you can provide them with everything they need.
Clean Up the Glass
Clean up the glass as soon as possible. Wear gloves while cleaning up the glass to avoid being cut by any small shards. If you have a vacuum in your vehicle, use it on your seats. You can clear the glass from the outside of your car with a wet napkin.
Call for Professional Help
After cleaning up the mess and determining if you can drive home, call for professional help. You’ll want to make this call as soon as possible. Some glass shops travel to your home or office to make the repair or replacement easier. If it is not safe to drive your vehicle, call a towing company. Have them take you to the nearest glass repair shop.
Do not try to drive your car if you cannot see clearly out of the windshield. This poses a significant safety risk for you and your fellow drivers. Have a glass shop come to you or have the vehicle towed to a repair shop before driving it again.
Image via Pixabay.com by kalhh
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