The winter months bring some unique winter driving hazards with them. You can prepare for them and do your best to keep yourself safe, but some drivers are not going to treat these potential dangers with the same caution and that’s when an accident can happen. If you get hurt in a crash and believe that someone else was to blame, a Prince George’s County car accident lawyer from our firm can help you seek out compensation.
What Are Some Dangerous Winter Driving Hazards?
There are a few winter driving hazards that can make driving during these colder and darker months a bit more dangerous. Some common dangers include:
- Slippery snow and ice
- Glare from the sunlight reflecting off snow
- Reduced visibility from snowstorms or fog
- Weather cold enough to affect specific car parts, like your battery
How Can I Stay Safer Despite These Winter Driving Hazards?
You can take some steps to address these dangers during your drives and before you hit the road for any long trips. We recommend:
Talking to a mechanic: A mechanic can check in on all of your car parts, including the lights and your battery, to make sure that some cold weather won’t cause issues.
Keeping an eye on your tires: It’s also important to make sure that all four tires have tread and that they stay properly inflated. If the tires are starting to go bald or leak air, they should be replaced.
Preparing for the worst: Even if you take good care of your car, you could end up getting stuck somewhere due to weather. So prepare for the worst and pack an emergency kit full of snacks, warm clothing, batteries, and chargers.
Driving slowly: Following others too closely can be dangerous if the roads are slippery. Keep your distance from other drivers and drive a bit slower than you normally might.
Saying careful on bridges: A bridge can get icy and slippery before the rest of the nearby road does. Keep this in mind when approaching one.
Can I Sue If I Get Into an Accident Due to Winter Conditions?
If you get into an accident caused by one of these winter driving hazards, can you do anything about that? You can’t exactly sue the ice or a cloud of fog that set in.
You could still be owed compensation because a hazard like this often contributes to an accident, but is rarely the sole cause of one. The other driver may have been able to avoid a crash despite some snow and ice if they weren’t speeding, distracted, or engaged in another dangerous behavior.
Because of this, it can still be possible to sue for damages if you believe that a driver did something dangerous and caused your crash. You just have to show that one of these winter hazards was not the only reason for the car accident that caused your injuries.
Schedule Your Case Consultation
So if you are ready to claim compensation and hold a driver accountable for their negligence, contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. We can schedule a consultation and tell you more about your legal options.
