Snow Related Car Accidents: Steps to Take
A mere three weeks ago, parts of the United States, including Utah, saw wintry weather that included snow and ice. As a result, the Utah Highway Patrol or UHP received hundreds of phone calls due to road accidents. Since the snowstorm started that Saturday, there were more than 650 reports of crashes and vehicles sliding off the road across the state.
Fortunately, Utah is better prepared than southern states such as Texas at dealing with winter weather. It took measures to make cancellations and closures of roads to avoid accidents. However, Utah accident attorneys were at the ready due to accidents that occurred and resulted in personal injury. Here are the steps to take in snowy weather.
Slow Down
Above all else, when there’s a snowstorm, you need to slow down while driving. Snow and ice on the roads mean that it takes longer to be able to come to a complete stop. Your vehicle may slide and your brakes may not work the way they do when the road is dry. Slowing down can prevent a potential crash.
You should also take extra care when you have to use your brake pedal. Instead of pressing your foot hard on the brake, you should simply ease up on the gas pedal before making a stop. This can prevent you from traveling too fast, sliding, and ultimately colliding with another vehicle or a guardrail. Additionally, even if you have an all-terrain vehicle, you need to be cautious and drive more slowly.
This is the biggest tip Utah car accident attorneys offer the public when they have to drive in wintry weather. A Utah winter car accident attorney can help if you did everything right but suffered an injury after an accident with a negligent driver.
Always Be Prepared
Even if you don’t pay attention to the weather reports, there’s always the chance that a winter storm may hit. As a result, it’s essential to always be prepared to drive in wintry weather. This means you should always ensure that your fuel tanks are full, you have the right tires for traveling in wet, slippery road conditions and your car’s heating system is working properly.
One of the worst problems you can have while driving in a winter storm is that your tires are wrong. If you don’t have snow tires, you should at least have all-weather tires that are in good condition. They need to have sufficient tread in order to constantly maintain contact with the road.
Of course, your vehicle should also be in the best possible condition as well. It needs to be in good working condition and checked by your mechanic at least once per year to ensure that it’s fit for driving, not only during the winter but all year long. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you should check every system in your car before you go on the road.
Utah car accident injury attorneys represent clients who have been injured in accidents with drivers who didn’t properly maintain their vehicles before traveling in wintry weather. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting your car.
Always Carry the Right Supplies
Finally, you should always carry certain supplies in your vehicle to combat the winter weather. You should have a brush and scraper for clearing snow and ice from your car, especially the windshield, roof, mirrors, and headlights. Other supplies you will want to have on hand are those that can come in handy in the event of an unforeseen emergency such as your vehicle becoming stalled on the road during a snowstorm. A shovel, blanket, flashlight, and variety of tools should be with you at all times.
If you are located in Utah and have been injured in an accident on a wintry road, Howard Lewis and Petersen, Utah personal injury attorneys, are there for you. Contact their office immediately to consult with Utah car accident lawyers.
