Winter weather means winter driving, which makes drivers susceptible to all sorts of hazardous conditions that are not present year-round. Whether it be snow flurries or icy roads, winter driving hazards are no laughing matter. During this time of the year, drivers must be prepared to handle whatever mother nature has in store for them. However, regardless of the situation, sometimes getting into an accident may be unavoidable. If you were recently involved in an accident involving ice or snow due to another party’s negligence, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Friedman Schuman for more information.
What winter driving hazards should I be aware of?
There is perhaps no winter driving hazard more dangerous than ice on the road. Icy road conditions can lead to a complete loss of control of your vehicle. What makes ice on the road even more dangerous is the fact that it can be difficult to see, especially when it comes to black ice. Because its appearance can be deceiving compared to surface ice, many drivers may believe that the road is just wet when in actuality it is not. It is always advised to proceed with caution whenever you are on the road during the winter. Even if you believe there is no ice on the road, always drive slower and maintain more space between you and other drivers. While you may think this is not necessary, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Poor visibility is another issue in the winter due to flurries, blizzards, and the accumulation of snow and ice on your vehicle. While some drivers may think that wiping the snow and ice off their windows and mirrors is enough to not have their vision affected while they are driving, they would be mistaken. Snow or ice left on the hood or roof of your vehicle can still get blown on your windshield while you are driving which can hamper your line of sight. Regardless, it’s important to clear off your vehicle before getting behind the wheel.
However, just because you may be prepared when it comes to winter driving hazards, does not mean that other drivers will be too. For example, if another motorist does not properly wipe the snow and ice off their car, it could potentially fly off of it when they are on the road and cause an accident. Additionally, if other drivers don’t obey the speed limit or exercise extra caution in snowy or icy conditions, they very well may lose control of their vehicle and crash.
If you’ve been hurt in a snow or ice accident, please don’t hesitate to speak with our seasoned firm today.
