It seems intuitive that winter would be a season of many car accidents. While the data shows that more accidents and fatalities occur in the summer months due to the amount of cars on the road for summer vacations, winter driving is also treacherous. Severe weather, unexpected flurries, heavy snowstorms, slick roads, and invisible black ice are factors in approximately 500,000 accidents and 2,000 winter road deaths annually, according to the American Automobile Association. To safeguard yourself and your family, think about the three P’s: PREPARE for your trip, PLAN ahead, and PROTECT yourself.

Preparing for your trip means, first of all, making sure your car is well-maintained and in good driving condition. Check your battery, your tire treads, and your fluids. This is the time of year to add no-freeze fluid to your washer’s reserve and check your antifreeze. Make sure that your wiper blades are working well.  

Having a well-equipped emergency kit is also important. Ensure that you have flashlights, jumper cables, a snowbrush and an ice scraper in your trunk. For longer trips, it might make sense to have bottled water and some food, such as protein bars, in your emergency box. And don’t forget the blankets or a sleeping bag in the event you are stranded on the road for some period of time.  

Plan ahead by thinking about your trip. Make sure that you have mapped out your destination and checked the weather on the route. You can also plan ahead by practicing winter driving skills. For example, you can rehearse stopping on snow and ice, and turning into a skid, in an empty parking lot. Know what your brakes will do by stomping on anti-lock brakes and pumping non-antilock brakes. 

Protect yourself by being aware of road conditions and driving appropriately to the situation.  When driving in snow, avoid using cruise control, which can reduce reaction time as you navigate road and weather hazards. It’s important to drive more slowly than you would in fair and clear conditions. Increase the distance between you and the car ahead as well. And avoid risky driving behaviors, such as distracted driving or drinking and driving.

Contact the Law Offices of Earl E. Conaway, III 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day sees a notable spike in accidents, particularly fatal accidents. Many people travel on unfamiliar roads to see family and friends, and often alcohol is involved in these gatherings. Add to this unpredictable weather conditions, and bad things can happen. So be prepared, plan ahead, and protect yourself.

But if you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a vehicle accident that is the result of someone else’s negligence, contact us here at the Law Offices of Earl E. Conaway, III. We can handle all of your personal injury questions and help you understand how you can be made whole for the damages that you have sustained. Contact us today.