For many people, there’s nothing more enjoyable than going on a long, leisurely drive. While it can certainly be enjoyable to hop behind the wheel and go wherever the road may take you, it’s important that you’re prepared to encounter adverse driving conditions that can put you at risk for a serious wreck.
Driving through bad weather can be extremely difficult, making it harder to control your vehicle and skyrocketing your chances of an accident. Learn a few tips for driving in adverse weather, so you can avoid serious car accidents and a major injury that limits your ability to live and work.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Bad Weather
If you’re a responsible car owner, then you probably make sure that your vehicle is well maintained. While important every time of year, vehicle maintenance is particularly crucial if you know that you’re going to be driving through bad weather conditions.
For example, to maintain your visibility, you need to make sure that the windshield of your vehicle is clean and free from large smudges that may block your view. It’s also important that your headlights and tail lights are working properly. If you frequently drive in slippery conditions, you might want to equip your vehicle with water channeling tires that will provide superior tractions during rainstorms and other adverse weather events.
Controlling Your Vehicle in Snow and Ice
Although there are several bad weather driving conditions for which you need to prepare, the most serious is snow and ice. While driving in a snow or ice storm, you may have to deal with extremely low visibility and very slippery conditions, making it easy to be involved in a damaging accident.
If you’re on the road and encounter snow, ice, or sleet, then you should be sure to reduce your speed. While slowing down will extend your time on the road, it will also give you those extra few seconds you may need to avoid a collision with another vehicle. To reduce your risk of spinning out, you should remember to turn cautiously and never slam on your brakes. Sudden braking and sharp turns are two of the major causes of loss of traction during slick driving conditions.
When Your Wheels Leave the Road
Experiencing a loss of traction, whether due to hydroplaning or winter weather, can be very frightening. When your vehicle spins out, it’s common to react the wrong way because of the stress of the situation, making it a good idea to learn how to regain control of your vehicle.
If you lose traction while driving, you must resist the understandable urge to break your vehicle. Braking while skidding can worsen the situation and increase the severity of your wreck. Remove your foot from your gas pedal and let the vehicle slow without braking, and the spin-out will eventually stop.
Responding to an Injury
After you’ve been injured by another person while driving under adverse weather conditions, then you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you’re interested in filing a lawsuit, you need to discuss your case with the team at Childs Bishop & White PC.
The team at Braker White has provided effective representation to our clients for over 30 years, and we’re ready to help with your case.
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