Getting Ready to Drive This Winter

 Falling snow can be picturesque and it’s that time of year when we can start to expect quite a bit of snowfall in New York City. While snow can be beautiful, it may also wreak havoc on our roadways and make it treacherous for travelers – drivers and pedestrians. It’s not clear how long this winter is going to be. However, it is critical that motorists be prepared and cautious when driving in adverse winter weather conditions. Here are a few tips to help you be a safe driver this coming winter season and let you avoid any potentially dangerous situations.

Weather-Related Crashes
According to the Federal Highway Administration, there are more than 5,748,000 auto accidents each year. About 22 percent of these crashes, nearly 1,259,000, are weather-related. These types of crashes are defined as those that occur in adverse weather such as rain, sleet, snow, fog, severe crosswinds, slick pavement, etc. On average, nearly 6,000 people are killed and more than 445,000 people are injured in weather-related crashes each year.
A vast majority of weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement and during rainfall. About 73 percent occur on wet pavement and 46 percent during rainfall. About 17 percent occur in winter conditions such as snow or sleet, 13 percent occur on icy pavement and 14 percent of weather-related crashes take place on a snowy or slushy pavement. About 3 percent of these crashes occur in foggy conditions.
Winter Driving Tips
There are a number of precautions you can take before you set off on a road trip, particularly if you are driving in snowy or icy weather conditions:
• Do not drive when you are drowsy or fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather conditions reduces driving risks and puts you in a better position to react to unforeseen dangers.
• Don’t run your vehicle in an enclosed area such as a garage. There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Be sure that your tires are properly inflated.
• Always keep your gas tank at least half full. Don’t wait until the last minute to fill up.
• If possible avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Use your seatbelt each time you get into the vehicle.
• Avoid all distractions, electronic or otherwise, when you are driving. When weather conditions are tricky, you need 100 percent of your focus and attention on the act of driving.
Tips for Driving in the Snow
• When you are driving in the snow, accelerate and decelerate slowly. Pressing the gas pedal slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry.
• Allow extra time to slow down for a stoplight or for pedestrians in crosswalks. Remember that it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Accelerating, stopping, turning – just about everything takes longer on snow-covered roadways. Give yourself the time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• Increase your following distance from three to four seconds to eight to 10 seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• And, keep travel in adverse weather conditions to an absolute necessity.
Compensation for Injured Victims
Those who have been injured in weather-related car accidents may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased victims can also seek compensation for the losses they have sustained by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a winter weather car accident or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a reckless driver or due to someone else’s negligence, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com