Avoid These Leading Causes of Winter Vehicle Accidents

As much of the country braces for a cold and icy winter, it’s a good time for a reminder about driving through the rotten weather. Living in Charlotte means that you don’t have to deal with snow on the roads too often, but what if you’re traveling? Knowing how to avoid winter-weather car accidents can help keep you and your family safe. Here are the top causes of winter crashes and how you can avoid them.

1. Ice

Icy roads are incredibly dangerous, especially if you can’t see the ice. Black ice is that which coats the road very thinly, making it difficult to see until it’s too late. If you know that freezing rain is predicted or if it is extra cold when you get up in the morning, it’s a good idea to assume there will be ice on the road and behave accordingly.

Drive slowly and plan on taking a bit of extra time to get to your destination. Slow down slightly as you cross bridges and, if you encounter ice, take your foot off of the gas and coast over the patch. Don’t slam on your brakes and don’t accelerate. If you find yourself sliding, steer into the slide to regain control of your tires.

2. Poor Visibility

One of the first things you should do before winter weather hits is to make sure your windshield washer fluid reservoir is filled. If you need to add fluid, choose one that is rated for winter weather and has added deicer. These fluids are typically orange, pink or purple, making them discernible from the typical blue of washer fluid. While you’re at it, make sure your other fluid levels are where they’re supposed to be.

3. Tires

Bald tires and those that aren’t inflated properly are another leading cause of accidents in the winter. When you tires don’t have enough tread or when the tread isn’t meeting the road properly, you are putting yourself in danger. If you aren’t sure what to look for when it comes to your tires, ask a mechanic to take a look for you. If your tires are worn or, worse, bald, you should have them replaced before you have to drive through snow and over ice.

Cold weather driving isn’t something that people in every state are used to. As winter begins to grip a larger number of states each year, knowing how to drive in poor conditions is something that benefits everyone. While people up north may be more used to driving over snow-covered roads, people in the south may want to learn how to do it properly.

In many cases, winter-weather accidents can be avoided. If you happen to be involved in an accident in Charlotte that was due to someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries and property damage. You shouldn’t be put into financial difficulty because of someone else. Call our office today to schedule your free case evaluation.