Driving a car can be dangerous even under normal circumstances. When poor weather is thrown into the mix, however, it can be a recipe for disaster. Conditions such as rain, snow, fog, sleet, ice, high winds, and dust can greatly limit your visibility and hinder your vehicle’s traction on the roads, increasing even the best drivers’ chances of losing control and being involved in a collision or fatal accident. As such, our law firm knows that it is imperative for drivers to make adjustments to the way they drive and compensate for poor conditions to stay safe on the roadways.
The following tips can help you avoid a collision during bad weather:
Slow down: Many car accidents occur because drivers are going too fast for road conditions. Reduce your speed to at least 10 miles below the speed limit during inclement weather, especially during rain or snow. Slower speeds can help increase your traction and give you more time to react to hazards. The faster you go, the higher your chances of skidding become.
Inspect your vehicle: The last thing you need during a storm is to find out that something is wrong with your vehicle. If inclement weather is on the horizon, perform a full inspection of your vehicle and make necessary repairs. Be sure to pay extra special attention to your headlights, tire treads, windshield wipers, and brakes. If you live in a snowy region, equip your vehicle’s tires with chains.
Give extra space: Fog or dust can make it difficult to see what is going on in front of the car in front of you, giving you less time to react in the event that they should brake suddenly. Be cautious and allow for more room between yourself and other vehicles.
Brake and accelerate lightly: Do not make any sudden or forceful movements in bad weather. If you need to slow down, lightly pump your brakes to reduce your chance of locking your tires and spinning out of control. Conversely, if your vehicle as an anti-locking braking system (ABS), hold down the brake as far as possible in an emergency, as your vehicle will prevent your wheels from locking and allow you to maneuver around hazards.
Pull over: If conditions look particularly bad, do not try to push your luck and pull off the road until it is safe to drive. Listen to weather warnings and react accordingly.
Unfortunately, nobody can ever truly predict the actions of another driver. If you have been injured in a collision caused by another driver’s negligence during poor weather, contact the Topeka personal injury lawyer at Roger Fincher, Attorney at Law today. Having been protecting the rights of injured clients for more than 20 years, our firm has the knowledge and skills to maximize your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
