You're cruising down the highway, enjoying the drive, when you decide to take the next exit. You press the brake pedal to slow down—and nothing happens. Your foot hits the floor, but the car keeps moving. A strong chill of panic runs down your spine.

It’s a situation no one wants to experience. But being prepared for the unexpected can give you confidence to act quickly. Knowing what to do if brakes fail in an automatic car can be the difference between a close call and something more serious.

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The Immediate Steps When Brakes Fail

So, your brakes aren’t working. What now? Your first instinct might be to hit the pedal harder, but if the brakes have truly failed, that won’t help. Instead, it's time to take quick, calculated actions that can safely bring your car to a stop.

1. Stay Calm and Focused

The most important thing is to stay calm. Panicking will only make it harder to think clearly and act quickly. Take a deep breath and keep your eyes on the road while preparing to execute the following steps. Staying composed will help you stay in control and avoid further risk.

2. Shift Into a Lower Gear

In an automatic car, shifting into a lower gear can help slow down your vehicle naturally. Most automatic cars have a manual mode or lower gear options like "L" or "1" and "2." By switching to these, you let the engine help slow the car down without relying on the brakes. This gradual deceleration buys you time to plan your next move.

3. Use the Emergency Brake (Handbrake) Carefully

The emergency brake is your backup when your main brakes fail, but how you use it matters. If your vehicle has a traditional handbrake lever, pull it slowly and steadily to avoid locking the wheels and causing a skid. This gradual approach will help you maintain control as the car slows down.

If your vehicle has a parking brake in the footwell, please avoid pressing it, as it's not designed for emergency stops and could make the situation worse. The same goes for electronic parking brakes—these systems aren’t built for sudden braking. Instead, focus on using the gears and steering to reduce speed safely.

You can, however, use these brakes once the speed of your vehicle is below 15 mph to bring your vehicle to a stop

4. Steer Safely - Avoid Obstacles

As you slow the car down, ensure to control the steering carefully: Keep your eyes on the road and guide the car toward a safe place, such as the shoulder or a wide open space. Turn on hazard lights and honk if necessary to alert other drivers that something is wrong. Awareness of the surroundings minimizes the chances of an accident while the car slows down.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid During a Brake Failure

When your brakes fail, it’s easy to make a wrong move in the heat of the moment. While it’s important to know what to do if brakes fail in an automatic car, being aware of the mistakes that could worsen the situation is just as crucial. Let’s look at some of the missteps you should avoid if you ever face this situation:

Slamming on the Brake Pedal Repeatedly

Your first instinct might be to pump the brakes harder, hoping they’ll suddenly kick back into action. Unfortunately, pressing harder won’t help. Once you realize the brakes aren’t responding, it’s better to move on to alternative methods, like downshifting or using the emergency brake, rather than wasting time.

Forgetting to Downshift

Shifting into lower gear is one of the most effective ways to slow your car down naturally. Some drivers forget this crucial step, instead focusing solely on the emergency brake. Relying only on the handbrake can make it harder to stop safely, particularly on steep roads or highways.

Shifting Into Neutral

While shifting into neutral can prevent the car from accelerating, doing this too early can be a mistake. If you shift into neutral before bringing your speed down significantly, you lose the advantage of engine braking. It’s best to shift into neutral when you’re very close to stopping or need to glide the vehicle without applying further power from the engine.

Turning Off the Engine Too Soon

Turning off the engine might seem like a quick solution to stop the car, but this can cut power to your steering and brakes, making it much harder to control the vehicle. Keep the engine running until the car has fully come to a stop.

Swerving Wildly

It’s easy to get tunnel vision when you’re trying to avoid obstacles. However, sharp, sudden movements can cause the car to spin out, especially at high speeds. Keep your steering smooth and controlled, gradually guiding your car to a safer area instead of making quick turns.

Post-Brake Failure: The Role of Insurance

Once you’ve safely come to a stop after a brake failure, the next step is dealing with the aftermath. Whether or not an accident occurred, it’s important to understand how your insurance can help you recover from the incident. Let’s break down the steps to take and how your car insurance plays a role in covering the damage.

Assessing the Damage

First, take a moment to evaluate the situation. If the brake failure didn’t result in a collision, you might just need to focus on getting your car to a mechanic. However, if there was an accident, even a minor one, you’ll want to document the scene. Take photos of your car, any other involved vehicles, and the surroundings. This will be useful if you need to file an insurance claim.

How Comprehensive Car Insurance Helps

Comprehensive car insurance is typically the type of coverage that kicks in when something like brake failure causes damage to your vehicle. This policy can cover the cost of repairs to your car, regardless of whether it was a mechanical issue or driver error. Depending on your specific policy, it might cover towing and other related expenses.

That said, not all insurance policies are created equal. It’s essential to review your coverage details to understand what’s included. You may also want to consult with your insurer to determine if brake failure is classified under “mechanical breakdown” or another category that could affect your claim.

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Filing an Insurance Claim After Brake Failure

Start by reporting the incident to your insurer as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide the following details:

  • Photos: Visual evidence of any damage caused by the brake failure, whether to your vehicle or others.
  • Mechanic’s report: If possible, obtain a report from a mechanic that details the brake failure and confirms it as the cause of the accident.
  • Police report: If an accident occurred, a police report is often required when filing an insurance claim. This document can help back up your claim and provide an official record of the incident.

Promptly submitting all the necessary documentation increases the likelihood of your claim being processed smoothly.

If brake failure is found to be the direct cause of the accident, your comprehensive insurance policy should help cover the costs, including repairs, medical expenses, and possibly even legal fees if there are any disputes.

Final Thoughts

Experiencing brake failure can be a frightening situation, but knowing what to do if brakes fail in an automatic car can help you respond effectively and minimize risk. From recognizing the problem and taking immediate action to understand the importance of insurance afterward, being prepared is key.

At BindRight, we understand the importance of securing the right insurance coverage. That’s why we encourage you to shop around and compare options to find the best fit for your needs. Reach out to us to explore and compare insurance prices today.