It’s snowing, and you’re driving to work. The snowstorm is blowing snow all over the place, making it hard for other drivers to see what’s going on in front of them. You finally reach a safe spot and pull over to take a break from the storm, worried that you could have crashed. Learn more about what to do if you are in a snow-related car accident due to someone else’s negligence.
Navigating Icy Roads
Every year, it still surprises people that roads turn icy in the winter. Slick roads and black ice are the leading cause of winter driving accidents all over the country. In fact, you’re 30 times more likely to have an accident when snow is on the ground. If you’re driving in winter weather, there are several things that you can do to avoid accidents caused by Jack Frost this year.
Even though a good portion of the US does not get snow, 17% of all crashes nationwide happen on snowy roads—yikes! So, what do you do if you’re involved in a snowy road accident?
Always Be Prepared
It’s never a good idea to drive in winter storms, but sometimes you may have little choice. If you’ve been involved in a crash, keep these tips in mind:
Stay in your vehicle:
- If you leave your vehicle behind, there’s a chance you could become disoriented when battling hard-blowing winds and snow.
- Every hour you’re stuck, run the motor for 10 minutes. This will give you enough heat while not draining your gas tank too quickly. Also, crack the window during this time to get fresh air, avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If you’ve gotten stuck in a snowbank, clear any snow from your exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning.
Be visible to other drivers:
- When running your engine at night, turn on the dome light.
- If you have one, tie a brightly colored cloth to the outside of your car, preferably to the car’s antenna.
- When the snow stops falling, raise the hood of your car. This indicates to other drivers that you need help.
Call Your Lawyer
Once you and your family are safe and secured, call your lawyer. If you’ve been in a snow-related accident due to someone else’s negligence, they’ll be able to help you figure out how to get the compensation you need. That way, you can get better and get on with your life.
As a member of the Ethical Lawyers of America, Ipson Law has been helping clients navigate difficult times in their life while remaining transparent and friendly. Michael Ipson has gone through many years of school and has spent countless hours in the courtroom in order to specialize in personal injury law. He’s seen firsthand how the personal injury law process can be tricky and is able to help make things easier for his clients.
If you are in a snow-related car accident in Utah, contact Ipson Law today!
Michael is an attorney who started Ipson Law because of his passion for personal injury law. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. Learn more about Michael on our about us page, and contact Ipson Law to find out how we can help you.
