As winter settles across our region, snow, ice, sleet, and freezing temperatures create some of the most hazardous driving conditions of the year. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 21% of all vehicle crashes in the United States, over 1.2 million annually, are weather related, with the vast majority of these occurring on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement.
At LifeLaw Trial Lawyers, our Utah car accident lawyers have represented countless individuals who have been seriously injured in preventable winter collisions. This comprehensive winter driving safety checklist is designed to help you arrive safely and to protect your legal rights by preserving critical evidence.
Pre Drive Preparation – Reduce Risk Before You Leave
Vehicle Winterization
- If you are in an area that receives a lot of snow consider purchasing and installing proper snow tires, or getting winter chains for your tires to preserve traction while you drive. You can also consider getting all weather tires, but if you purchase these make sure to verify that the tread depth is at least 6/32 of an inch.
- Test battery strength: Cold weather can reduce the cranking power of your battery by more than 50% so be sure to check that your battery is fully charged in the coming winter months.
- Replace wiper blades and top off the windshield wiper fluid with a winter rated (de-icer) formula to make clearing your windshield easier.
- Make sure that all of the lights on your vehicle are clean and functioning. During the winter the amount of daylight and visibility is greatly decreased and visibility is dramatically reduced in the snow and darkness.
Emergency Kit
The winter weather can be incredibly unpredictable and you may get caught in a surprise storm. If this is the case it is best to be prepared. Our Utah car accident lawyers recommend keeping the following in your trunk at all times:
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Jumper cables, flashlights, and extra batteries
- Blankets, extra warm clothing, high energy snacks, and water
- Small shovel, cat litter or sand for added traction, and a tow strap
- First aid kit as well as any necessary medications
- Portable phone charger and physical road maps
Check Road and Weather Conditions
Here in Utah utilize the Utah DOT website. It showcases maps of the roads as well as their current weather conditions. You can also access traffic cameras to access footage of the roads you will be driving on to see how the weather is affecting them. If there is a winter storm warning or an ice storm warning do your best to delay any travel to avoid driving in these conditions.
Safe Driving Techniques in Winter Conditions
Being prepared for the worst is only half of the battle. Driving through snow and ice can be very dangerous. Our Utah car accident lawyer recommends taking the following steps to help keep you safe while you are on the road.
1. Increase Following Distance
If you are driving in the snow try to triple or even quadruple the normal distance of which you follow a vehicle. Traditional safety rules recommend that you leave three seconds of stopping distance between you and another driver, so in the snow up this time to 9-12 seconds of stopping distance.
Black ice and packed snow can extend your stopping distance by 8-10 times, so be prepared to stop your vehicle way ahead of time.
2. Reduce Speed and Drive Smoothly
Snow and ice can cause serious changes to how your vehicle operates and can make it much more difficult to control your car. Try to accelerate, brake, and turn gradually as it can lessen your chances of sliding out. Sudden inputs are the leading causes of loss of control on a slippery surface.
3. Know How to Recover from a Skid
- If the rear end of your vehicle begins to slide: steer gently in the direction that you want the front of the vehicle to go and avoid slamming on the brakes.
- If the vehicle does not steer: ease off of the gas and avoid braking until you can feel the traction return.
4. Bridges, Overpasses, and Shaded Areas Freeze First
When approaching these areas remember to slow down even if the rest of the roadway appears clear. These areas could have patches of black ice so be prepared when passing through these stretches of the road.
5. Use Headlights at All Times
Run your headlights throughout the day to improve your visibility and improve visibility for all other drivers on the road.
If You Do Get Into an Accident:
If these safety precautions fail and you do get into a car accident this winter your next steps are crucial. As your Utah car accident lawyers we recommend taking these steps after a winter car crash:
- Prioritize Safety: Move your vehicle to a safe location away from the road and turn on your hazard lights. Then check yourself and your passengers for injuries and call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt.
- Document the Scene: While you are at the scene of the accident try to gather as many photos and videos of the accident as possible. Try to get pictures and videos of: all the vehicles involved in the crash, license plates, damage to the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks (if there were any), weather conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Gather Witness Information: If anyone was an independent witness of the accident gather their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Their statements can be extremely valuable to your potential injury claim
- Exchange Information: Provide your name, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle registration to the other driver. Make sure you obtain the same information form them as well. Do not discuss fault or apologize for the accident as these statements can be used against you later.
- Call the Police: Always call the police to the scene of the accident. Doing this will ensure that a police report will be created for your accident. This police report will be vital to your case as it is the basis of how an insurance company will determine who is at fault for the accident.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you have any noticeable injuries seek treatment immediately. If you don’t have any apparent injuries seek treatment immediately as well. Injuries like a concussion, whiplash, or spinal injuries may not be immediately apparent but a medical evaluation will reveal the extent of any injuries that you have sustained.
Driving during the winter demands more out of you. You will have to be extremely vigilant and prepared for the worst possible outcomes, but even the safest drivers can be seriously injured by someone else’s negligence on icy roads. If you or a loved one have been injured in a winter collision time is critical and you will need the help of a skilled car accident attorney.
Hire the best car accident lawyers in Utah at LifeLaw Trial Lawyers for the best possible outcome for your case. Our team of expert car accident lawyers have helped hundreds of clients get the compensation that they deserve for their injuries. Let our team work tirelessly to create your case so you can focus on what is really important, your recovery.
For a free consultation give us a call at 801-206-4002. Let our car accident lawyers get you the compensation and peace of mind that you deserve.