Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 10.8 million car accidents in the United States each and every year. While it’s true that drunk driving, mechanical failure, texting while driving, and other issues play a large part in the number of people involved in accidents each year, the fact is that weather is also a significant factor.
Consider our ongoing winter: According to the National Weather Service, many different cities around the country have experienced more days with sub-zero temperatures than they have in years. Chicago, for example, has had 26 days with temperatures at or below zero this winter. Of course, with this arctic onslaught comes icy roads and snow, not to mention increased chances of car accidents. If you want to avoid adding to the statistics and risk having to go to court to answer a car accident injury claim, follow these tips to be safer on the roads for the rest of this terrible season.
Four Tips for Avoiding a Car Accident in the Winter Weather
- Practice Basic Safety Laws
- Replace Your Tires
- You’re Not Racing in the Tundra
- Make Yourself as Visible as Possible
This one may seem obvious, but the best way to avoid landing yourself in a court case for car accident compensation is to practice basic safety laws. Use your turning signals, stop at stoplights, and all the rest.
Of course, following basic safety codes, namely wearing your seat belt, can also greatly change the outcome if you do wind up in an accident. Consider, according to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 30,000 Americans die each year in an accident because they weren’t wearing their seat belts. Don’t let that be you.
Too many people believe that changing their tires to snow tires when the weather shifts is a way to drive up tire sales. However, as Edmunds.com writes, in order to have the required amount of traction to drive safely on a snowy road, your tire treads need to be at least six thirty-seconds of an inch deep. The only way you’re going to find that depth is by using snow tires.
Just ask anyone who’s been brought to court for a car accident injury claim in the winter, one of the biggest mistakes you can make while driving in the snow is to drive the same speed you’d drive in perfectly clear conditions. As NBC News suggests, it’s important that you slow down in the winter time, driving as much as 50% slower than you normally would. At the same time, however, you shouldn’t drive too slow; that’s a great way to get stuck in the snow.
You’d be surprised how much of a difference simply turning your lights on in the winter can make for helping you avoid a car accident injury claim. Weather.com astutely points out that one of the best ways to avoid being hit or hitting someone else in the winter is to turn on your lights. It’s usually enough to turn on your normal lights, but if you have fog lights or runners, it won’t hurt to turn them on.
This weather plus poor driving is a perfect recipe for accidents. If you want to avoid injury or going to court for car accident settlements, follow these tips. They may be the difference between meeting with auto accident injury lawyers and having a safe winter. To see more, read this: St. louis car accident lawyer
