Driving in Winter Weather
Whether you live in a state that has cold and snowy winters or are going to travel to a snowy state either for business or pleasure, there is a good chance you may find yourself driving in bad weather driving. When you are driving on icy roads or in weather that causes poor visibility because of snow or sleet, your risk of being in a crash greatly increases. In fact, federal statistics show that more than 75,000 people are injured in crashes that occur during bad winter weather. If you have been injured in a winter crash, call a law firm to speak with a car accident attorney to find out how they can help.
Another factor that increases the risk of bad winter weather driving is that the holidays that take place during the winter often involve many parties and socializing for people, which also means there are more drivers on the winter roads that may be under the influence of alcohol.
The following are steps recommended by safety advocates and car accident attorneys to help minimize your risk of injury during winter driving:
· Make sure you have your vehicle regularly maintained in the winter to help minimize your accident risks. Many vehicle owners have snow tires installed on their vehicles during the winter months. You also want to make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order and not frayed and always make sure that there is enough washer fluid to help keep your windshield clear.
· Always wear your seat belt, no matter how far or close you are driving. It is estimated that seat belts save the lives of more than 15,000 people each year in the U.S.
· Make sure there is enough space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This is especially important if roads are slick and you need to come to an abrupt stop. If you are too close and your car loses traction because of ice or snow on the road, you could slide and smash right into the vehicle in front. You also want to keep an eye on your speed. If the weather is bad, you want to drive even slower than the posted speed limit.
· Never get behind the wheel of your vehicle if you have been drinking or doing drugs. It only takes a couple of drinks to put a driver over the legal limit of .08. Not only do you risk loss of license if you drive under the influence, but you also risk loss of life.
Let a Lawyer Help
If you have been injured in a winter weather car accident, contact a law firm to speak with an auto accident lawyer in Memphis, TN to find out what legal options you may have. Their legal team will help get you the financial compensation you may be entitled for the losses you have suffered.
Thanks to Patterson Bray, for their insight into personal injury claims and driving in bad winter weather.
