The recent winter storms across New York State and the Tri-State area have piled huge amounts of ice and snow on the roads, leading to conditions for a treacherous and deadly commute. WABC News reports that there were hundreds of car accidents in the region as freezing rain fell paralyzing traffic One fatality occurred on westbound Route 3 near the Hackensack River Bridge in East Rutherford while the second was on the ramp connecting the eastbound Cross Country Parkway to the northbound Bronx River Parkway.
Hazardous Conditions
In both these fatal incidents, according to officials, the driver had spun out before exiting their respective vehicles. They were then fatally struck by skidding vehicles that had lost control at the same spot. In Westchester County, a significant response was underway after a multi-vehicle pileup on the northbound Hutchinson River Parkway resulted in injuries.
NBC New York reported that portions of the Goethals Bridge, Routes 1 & 9, Route 10, Columbia Turnpike and I-95 near the New York/Connecticut line were all closed to due to crashes and/or icing conditions, and other major roadways had speed restrictions as well.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), nearly 70% of the nation’s population lives in snowy regions. Each year, 24% of weather-related car accidents occur on snowy, slushy or icy roadways and 15% occur during snowfall or sleet. Over 1,300 people are killed and 116,800 are injured annually in car accidents during snowfall or sleet, FHWA says, adding that state and local agencies spend more than $2.3 billion on snow and ice control operations annually.
Driving Safely in Wintry Weather
When roadways are icy and conditions are already unsafe, it is even more important to drive safely and pay attention to the road. Negligent (careless) driving is more likely to have tragic consequences in inclement weather. Here are some of the key factors that cause car accidents in such weather:
Speed: It is important to adjust vehicle speed and account for the lower traction that exists when driving on ice or snow. It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Following distance: In addition to driving at a safe speed, it is also important to increase following distance. This increased margin of safety can help drivers because it gives them a longer distance if they need to stop.
Driving distracted: Distracted driving is always dangerous, but even more so when inclement weather is a factor. It is critical here to put away electronics and other gadgets in the vehicle that can prove distracting, and focus on the road.
Injured victims of speeding or reckless drivers can seek compensation from 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 that have lost loved ones in car accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it would be in your best interest to file a police report, obtain as much evidence as possible from the scene (your personal injury attorney can also secure this for you), get prompt medical attention and care and contact an experienced New York personal injury lawyer who will fight to protect your legal rights and options.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, 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.
For 50 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. 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, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
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 and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, 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
Source: https://abc7ny.com/nj-crashes-new-jersey-accidents-ice-pulaski-skyway/11427616/