(ABC 6 News) — What started as a routine drive for Andrea Garncarz changed in the blink of an eye.

Garncarz says a car rear-ended him. His car was wrecked and shaken.

“It was like I was in a state of shock,” Garncarz said.

The best way to protect yourself is to reduce the risk of accidents.

Bad weather conditions like fog, rain, snow or ice can lead to chain-reaction crashes, said Consumer Reports’ Jennifer Stockburger.

“When visibility is low, it becomes difficult for drivers to see what’s ahead of them,” Stockburger said. “Cars also take longer to stop on wet roads, so slowing down and leaving more space between you and other vehicles can help you stay safe.”

Pay attention to drivers around you, especially those following too closely.

In slippery conditions, ease off the throttle to slow down rather than applying the brakes forcefully, which can cause skidding.

There are other scary car situations where Consumer Reports says knowing what to do can make the difference between life and death.

Although less common than decades ago, there are still an average of 400 passenger vehicle fires every day. If it happens to you, act quickly.

“If you smell smoke or see flames, it is very important to pull over immediately,” Stockburger said. “When you stop, turn off the car, get out of the vehicle, stay at least 100 feet away, and call 9-1-1. Fighting a fire yourself, especially without the right extinguisher, can be a fatal mistake.”

Consumer Reports also recommends staying away from the front and rear of the car to avoid flying debris. It is safer to stay upwind to avoid breathing harmful gases, and it is safer to stay behind a guardrail or out of the way in case another car hits the vehicle.

Then comes the flood!

Flooded roads are more dangerous than they appear. Just 12 inches of water can sweep away a small car, and 2 feet of water can move larger vehicles. Even a small puddle can cause you to lose control, so it’s important to be careful.

The best advice is to avoid wading through standing water, as it is often difficult to gauge the depth of water. Turn around and take a different route or stay home until the weather improves.

Besides personal risk, floodwaters can damage your engine and electronics; sometimes it can leave your car beyond repair.

Andrea Garncarz knows she’s lucky!

“Thankfully, nothing happened to my legs because I hit the front of the bus,” Garncarz said.