Be Careful While Driving in Snowy and Icy Conditions

With winter approaching, so too are the icy and snowy roads and highways of New Jersey. And as we all know, these winter conditions create additional dangers on our already crowded roadways. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, 39 percent of all weather-related car accidents occur in winter conditions with snow, ice, and sleet. These winter accidents result in approximately 2200 deaths and 200,000 injuries every year. While all drivers must drive responsibly in any weather, they should exercise additional caution on snowy and icy roads. Failure to heed this warning can result in accidents causing serious injuries to yourself and/or others. And legally speaking, drivers can be held responsible for the injuries they cause from careless driving. So be careful while driving in snowy and icy conditions.

Safe Driving in the Winter

The National Safety Council, America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate for more than 100 years, and AAA offer the following winter driving tips.

• Avoid using cruise control in wintry conditions.
• Steer in the direction of a skid, so when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to overcorrect to stay in your lane.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly – don’t slam on your brakes.
• Increase your following distance to 8 to 10 seconds.
• If possible, don't stop when going uphill.
• If visibility is severely limited due to a whiteout, pull off the road to a safe place and do not drive until conditions improve. Avoid pulling off onto the shoulder unless it is an absolute emergency. Limited visibility means other vehicles can’t see yours on the shoulder.
• Slow down!

Accident Victims

If you get hurt by a negligent driver who fails to adjust to winter road conditions, you can seek compensation for your injuries. For example, you can sue for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

For those injured on New Jersey roadways, every personal injury case is different. The facts and circumstances will determine which types of damages are available to you and your family. Therefore, please contact us to discuss your unique situation, answer all your questions, and determine the right plan of action for you. In the meantime, be careful while driving in snowy and icy conditions.