Although snowfall and ice accumulation aren’t as common in our area as they are in other parts of the East Coast, many parts of Virginia still get hit by winter storms that make roads treacherous. Because of that, it’s important to be prepared—especially if you plan on traveling out of state this winter to areas where inclement weather is more common.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia auto accident lawyers know that slick roads are one of the biggest contributing factors to accidents throughout the U.S. And in many states where snowfall is rare, accidents become more likely when winter weather hits. Drivers aren’t used to driving in such conditions, and road crews may be less prepared to treat roads before and during rush hour or other periods of heavy traffic.
You can be proactive and reduce your risks by:
- Preparing your vehicle. Make sure your brakes are serviced or replaced if they’re worn. You should also check your tires to make sure they’re filled to the right PSI and still have plenty of tread before driving.
- Reducing your speed. Just as you would in a heavy rainstorm, it’s important to drive slower when roads may have patches of snow or ice. Reducing your speed reduces your chances of losing control.
- Turning off cruise control. Cruise control is convenient, but it takes away some aspect of control. Turn this feature off when driving in winter weather to maintain better control of your speed.
Most drivers increase their level of caution and safety awareness during the winter, but not everyone does. If you were hurt in a crash that was caused by a negligent driver, we want to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
