Driving on snow and ice-covered roads can be tricky and often dangerous, even 
for experienced drivers. What makes snow and ice hazardous is that they reduce the amount of traction your car has, making it more challenging to get moving, steer and stop. The winter months also bring foggy weather and fewer daylight hours making it more challenging in terms of visibility.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 24% of weather-related car accidents occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement and 15% occur during snowfall or sleet. More than 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 are injured in car accidents that occur on snowy, slushy or icy roadways each year. Here are four winter driving tips to help keep you safe this winter.
Slow down.
When you drive in wintry weather, it is important to slow down more than usual. Exceeding your tires’ ability to maintain grip can result in a skid, spin or crash. This means you need to anticipate stops, corners, bends, and grades, etc. well ahead of time and adjusting your momentum accordingly. It is best not to use cruise control or semi-autonomous driving systems in winter driving conditions. It is important that drivers stay fully engaged behind the wheel. In New York, we’ve seen an increase in the number of people who are speeding on roadways especially during the pandemic. When there is snow or ice on the roadways, driving at an excessive speed or violating posted speed limits may prove deadly.
Increase Your Following Distance
If you are driving in inclement weather such as snow, ice or heavy rain, you should increase your following distance to a minimum of six seconds. During extreme icing events, as much as 10 seconds is recommended. Some people stay close to the vehicle in front because it gives them the sense that they can see better. But, following too closely during inclement weather increases the risk of a crash and often results in multi-car pileups.
Stay alert at all times.
During adverse weather conditions, it is more important than ever to pay attention to the roadway. Do not drive while distracted. Put cell phones away. Set your GPS or radio before you depart. Do not drive while fatigued. It is also important to not drive while impaired.
Know safe driving techniques
Do not use cruise control when conditions are wintry. Steer in the direction of a skid. That way, when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to overcorrect in order to stay in your lane. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. If possible, do not stop while going uphill.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of car accidents 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 such accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or pedestrian 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.
Pedestrian accident victims and their families should remember that they may be able to seek compensation for injuries or losses in collisions even if the victim was not walking in a marked crosswalk and even if the driver involved in the collision was not charged. Our law firm recovered the full one million dollar insurance policy for a girl who was not in the crosswalk when a motor vehicle hit her.
For over 49 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 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