Whether you love the chilly days or plan to hibernate for the season, it’s important to understand that snow, sleet, and ice can cause extremely dangerous road conditions. As such, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the most common winter driving hazards to take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and others on the roadway safe. If you were recently involved in an accident due to another party’s negligence, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced Essex County Auto Accident Attorney who can help you navigate your legal options.
What Winter Driving Hazards Should I Be Aware of?
There are unique dangers associated with winter driving. When inclement weather hits during this season, you should avoid during. If you must travel, it’s important to take additional precautions, such as driving at slower speeds and maintaining a greater distance between yourself and other vehicles.
Generally, the most common risk during the winter is ice on the road. Two types of ice make driving dangerous: surface and black ice. Both can prevent tires from getting a good grip on the road, making it harder for motorists to steer and stop. Black ice is more dangerous because it makes the road appear wet instead of icy. Surface ice can usually be spotted in time to slow down or avoid it. However, both increase the risk of hydroplaning.
Another common risk that you can face while navigating the roadways in the winter is reduced visibility. Rain, sleet, fog, and snow can all contribute to poor visibility. During the winter months, the nights get longer. This means motorists will drive in low-light conditions more often. When you can’t see the road clearly, it increases the chances of a collision. Therefore, you should ensure your headlight sare in working order, fully defrost your windshield, and clear any snow that has accumulated on the roof of your vehicle to ensure you have as much visibility as possible while behind the wheel.
Although you can’t avoid every accident, the simple act of slowing down can help keep you out of trouble while navigating the roadways during the winter. In the unfortunate event that you have been injured in a collision due to the negligence of another party, it’s in your best interest to retain the legal services of an experienced Essex County auto accident attorney who can help you fight for full and fair compensation for endured damages. At the Law Offices of Christopher T. Howell, Esq., we are prepared to guide you through each step of the claims process. Connect with our firm today to discuss your case.
