Important Things to Know About Winter Driving Accidents in Pennsylvania
Winter driving in Pennsylvania can be a challenge, and that’s for those who are used to our winters. For those who are just acclimating to Pennsylvania, driving on our roads can be outright dangerous. As we prepare for another winter, it’s important to review your safe driving skills, get your vehicle ready, and do what you can to avoid accidents.
If you are hurt in an accident, you have the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman here to help you. We know how stressful a car accident can be, and we want to support you through the personal injury claim process. Give us a call at 866-565-4949 to set up a consultation now.
Common Causes of Winter Collisions
Once you know why winter accidents are so common, you can start taking steps to protect yourself. Weather is unpredictable during winter, which makes it hard to plan your trips appropriately. Drivers get used to their normal routes and drive times during the rest of the year, only to find in winter that they need a considerably longer time to reach their destination. On top of that, your normal routes may not be the best option during winter. If they use streets that are commonly the last to get plowed, you may need to reroute for a few months.
When drivers don’t take steps to adjust their trips, they end up flustered and in a rush. This often leads them to take unnecessary risks, leading to an increase in collisions. It’s better to give yourself too much time to complete your trip than to cut it too close and feel like you need to drive dangerously to get there.
You must also consider the effects of limited visibility during winter. When snow is blowing and the temperatures are dangerously low, it is hard to see even a car’s length in front of you. Fogged-up windows make this even worse and can slow traffic to a crawl.
Legal Considerations in Winter Accidents
People wonder about liability in winter accidents. If they lose control of their vehicle after hitting black ice, are they still liable? What if they try to brake, but their vehicle doesn’t respond? In most cases, you are still liable for any accidents you cause during winter. Insurance companies look at it this way: you are responsible for driving safely enough to avoid accidents, regardless of the current weather conditions.
If it’s snowing, that means driving slowly enough that you can come to a complete stop before reaching the car ahead of you. If you’re driving on icy roads, that means driving slower still. If a driver loses control of their vehicle, the insurance company considers their failure to adjust to circumstances their own mistake.
How to Keep Yourself and Your Family Safe
There’s a lot you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones during winter. First, review safe driving practices before the first snowfall hits. Remind yourself what it’s like to drive on snow- and ice-covered roads, how slow you generally need to drive to stay in control, and which routes you had to change up last year. Too many people wait until the first snow of the year to start thinking about winter driving safety.
You should also make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving conditions. That often means switching out your tires for winter tires, which have extra grip for especially slick roads. I you don’t use winter tires, at least ensure that your tires have enough tread to make it through the season. Pack your vehicle with the items you’d need in a crash or breakdown. These items include:
- Charged portable chargers
- Heavy blankets
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable foods
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A paper map
When you’re fully prepared for whatever winter brings, each trip will be a little bit less stressful.
Call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman If You’ve Been Injured in a Winter Crash
Have you been injured in a Pittsburgh car crash? The team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman is ready to help you explore your legal options. Set up your free consultation now by calling us at 866-565-4949 or sending us a quick message online.
