Winter Weather Is Here: Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Winter in South Jersey

There are plenty of people who love the arrival of the winter months and the cold weather. Skiers and other winter sport enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of snow, and those who simply enjoy the beauty of a landscape blanketed in white thrill as the weatherman predicts the first snowstorm. But with the coming of the cold there is also the reality of the increased number of auto accidents that the season brings. Ice and snow on the roads and reduced visibility require cautious and skillful driving, and not every driver is as vigilant or attentive as they should be. If you have been involved in an auto accident and you have been injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Though many think that the weather provides them with an excuse for careless driving accidents, the personal injury attorneys at Wallace Law understand that drivers in South Jersey still have a duty of care when they get behind the wheel, whether there is snow on the ground or not.

There are several common causes of accidents in winter that every driver should be mindful of, as the more prepared and aware you are, the better your chances of avoiding a collision. They include:

• Black Ice – This is an extremely dangerous condition in which a thin sheen of water freezes on roadway surfaces and is not visible to drivers. It can cause a vehicle to skid without warning.
• Improperly Maintained Vehicles – Properly maintaining a vehicle is always important, but never more so then when venturing out into dangerous roadway conditions. Items that should be checked include making sure that your tires are appropriate for the road surfaces, making sure your brakes are in good condition, and ensuring that all fluid levels are topped off and windshield wipers are up to the task of clearing ice and snow.
• Poor Visibility – Visibility is not just an issue when snow, sleet and rain are falling from the sky – it is also an important thing to think about before heading out onto the roads after a storm has passed. Make sure that the top of your vehicle’s surfaces have been completely cleared of snow and ice so that none blows onto the roadway or in the path of other drivers. Clear all windows of any impediment to being able to see and make sure that when you’re traveling through fog or precipitation, your lights are on.
• Speed – When traveling in ice and snow or wet surfaces, it takes longer for your vehicle to stop. Leave yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go and reduce your speed when conditions are less than optimal.

If you have been injured in a winter auto accident by a driver who did not exercise care in the operation of their vehicle, the attorneys at Wallace Law can help. Call us today to set up a convenient appointment.

Learn more about Auto Accidents HERE.