For many people, there’s nothing better than hitting the open road in their car. However, while enjoying a drive, it’s possible you’ll encounter stressful weather conditions, which will greatly increase your chances of getting into a serious wreck. If you want to be able to enjoy a relaxing Sunday drive while staying safe, you need to learn a few of the best tips for avoiding car accidents in tough weather conditions.
Here are a few rules for safe driving in adverse weather conditions that will keep you in command of your car and help you avoid serious car accidents.
When Traction Disappears
The reason that adverse weather conditions so frequently cause wrecks has to do with traction. When roads get slick and slippery, it’s difficult for your tires to maintain their grip on the road, and If you don’t respond to this conditions accordingly, it’s possible you will suffer a spinout and accident.
The easiest way to stay safe when roads get slick is to slow your vehicle. This will help you to see what’s in front of you on the road and will give you ample time to react if another vehicle skids out or there is a wreck. You also need to be very careful about how you brake and turn. Braking or turning abruptly can cause your vehicle to lose contact without the road and will likely result in an accident.
If you do lose control of your vehicle, the best solution is to take your foot off of the gas pedal and allow your car to slow naturally. Jamming on your brakes will only make the skid worse and should be avoided.
Make Yourself Visible
Low visibility is another adverse weather condition that can be really tough on drivers. Whether due to heavy fog or an intense storm, when visibility is low it is much more likely that you will collide with other vehicles, possibly resulting in serious injury. However, if you’re ready for low visibility conditions, you should be able to stay safe.
Before you go for a drive, you should make sure your windshield is clear and that you can see through it easily. To be able to see in heavy rain, you also need to be sure your wipers are working properly. When it comes to fog, it’s crucial that your headlights and tail lights work properly so that you can see and be seen by other drivers.
Winter Weather Conditions
If you’re like most people, then you dread driving in snow and ice, and for a very good reason. Winter weather like snow, ice, and sleet routinely cause accidents, meaning you need to be very cautious when driving under these conditions.
As with other forms of adverse conditions, the best tip for winter weather driving is to control your speed and avoid sharp turns or sudden braking. You will also need to make sure that your windshield is free from ice before you go for a drive. If at all possible, you should avoid driving while it is snowing or ice is falling, as it can be easy to get into a wreck even if you’re cautious.
What to Do After a Wreck
If you’ve been injured while driving during adverse weather conditions because of the negligent actions of another driver, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit with the help of Heuser & Heuser, LLP.
Our personal injury attorneys are ready to discuss the facts of your injury and tell you about your legal options. Contact Heuser & Heuser today.
