On behalf of Marquardt & Belmonte, P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
Winter storms have already hammered much of the country this year, and we're not even to Christmas yet. As such, it's time to take a look at some safe driving practices in the snow. Knowing what to do can save your life and the lives of others.
First and foremost, just slow down. Driving too fast for conditions is a major reason for snow-related accidents. Forget the speed limit. Forget how you could drive safely on the dry summer roads. Slow down to give yourself more time to react and more control over your car.
Take this basic theory and apply it to braking and acceleration, as well. Accelerating too fast makes your tires spin, so do it slowly to retain control. Start braking long before you need to. You want to gradually slow the car down so that you don't lock up the tires. An anti-lock braking system helps, but you still want to give yourself time.
One of the best things you can do is to give yourself a larger following distance. Back off of the car in front of you, regardless of the speed. You must have extra space to slow down and stop if they do so unexpectedly. A lot of accidents happen in the winter because people suddenly have to stop and end up sliding right into the cars ahead of them.
These tips can help you stay safe, but what if another driver runs into you and you end up in the hospital? If that happens, you may need to look into your rights to financial compensation for your medical bills.
