Winter weather can wreak havoc on the roads and increase your risk of being involved in a collision. We go over how you can avoid winter car accidents below, plus how we can help if you’ve been in a vehicle crash and need compensation.
Avoid Driving During Storms When Possible
The most effective way to avoid getting into a winter car accident is to stay home during storms and wait for the roads to be cleared before going back out. Make a habit of checking the weather regularly, so you know what to expect and when to stay off the roads.
According to FEMA and the Federal Highway Administration, the majority of winter fatalities that involve weather-related factors occur in vehicles. Ultimately, snow and ice contribute to more than 540,000 motor vehicle accidents, 146,000 injuries, and 1,900 deaths every year. If you’re not on the road when the weather is bad, you can’t be involved in one of these crashes.
Drive Slowly and Brake Gently
Unfortunately, it’s not always practical to simply not drive in icy conditions. Sometimes, it’s necessary. For example, a storm might start while you’re at work and leave you with no choice but to brave the snow in order to get home. Or, you may need to go to the store or check on family members regardless of the weather.
In this case, it’s best to drive slowly and avoid sudden braking. Remember that you have much less traction on wet or icy roads and one wrong move can result in a collision. While going too fast, turning sharply, or slamming on your brakes might not cause problems when road conditions are good, the same can’t be said of driving on ice and snow.
Accelerate Gradually
When you need to speed up on a wet or icy road, this should be done gradually to avoid sliding and losing control of your vehicle. Press the gas pedal a little at a time to give yourself the chance to acclimate to each change in speed before going faster. Just don’t go too fast, because then it will become much harder to safely slow down or come to a stop.
Increase Your Following Distance
Another important tactic to use if you absolutely must drive through a storm is to increase the distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This gives you extra time to adjust your speed if the other driver stops at a stop sign or slows down to make a turn.
If you’re following too closely, you may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid sliding, fishtailing, or getting into an accident. You may not be able to control how closely drivers follow behind you, but you can take this simple step to decrease the risk of rear-end collisions in front of you.
Don’t Overcorrect If You Start to Slide
Despite your best intentions to drive carefully and leave plenty of space between yourself and the cars in front of you, your car might still have difficulty maintaining enough traction to avoid sliding. When this happens, you might be tempted to jerk the wheel or slam on the brakes to correct it, but doing so can actually make the situation much worse.
Eliminate Distractions
Driving carefully in the winter can be challenging, so it’s a good idea to do what you can to eliminate distractions before heading out when the weather is bad. Keep music low or turn it off, and avoid things like eating, using your cell phone, or engaging in loud conversations with passengers while you’re behind the wheel.
Keep Your Car In Good Condition
It’s also important to make sure your car is in good working condition before the winter season. It’s never too late though, so if you haven’t taken it to a mechanic yet, now is a great time. They’ll check for things like:
- Engine problems
- Brake pad and rotor wear
- Low tire pressure or tread
- Battery problems
- Fluid leakage
- Power steering failure
- Worn shocks and struts
- Poor alignment
Were You In An Accident? We’re Here For You
Were you or a family member involved in a winter car accident through no fault of your own We can help you pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve for injuries, vehicle damage, and other critical expenses. Contact us today to get started by calling (978) 744-8000 or reach us toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
