Memphis Automobile Accident Attorneys Discuss the Dangers of Winter Road Conditions

By Thomas Greer | November 22, 2014

Earlier this month, icy roads surprised drivers one Thursday morning as they tried to keep their cars on the road while commuting to work. Some drivers made it to work safely, but there were some accidents, including the one which claimed the life of a twenty seven year old man. The man was driving on icy roads when he lost control of his pickup truck. He was thrown from the truck as it flipped over, and he died as the result of his injuries.

Colder temperatures have arrived in earnest, and drivers must be on the lookout for slippery roads regardless of whether there is snow on the ground. Winter driving requires extra caution, so keep the following suggestions in mind as you make your way to work, school, and, of course, all of the fun winter and holiday activities and events that you have planned.

Safe travel begins before you even get behind the wheel. Keeping your car properly maintained is essential, because things like tires and windshield wipers can make a big difference in how your car performs in challenging weather conditions. Checking the weather forecast can be helpful, especially if you have some choice regarding whether you make a particular trip on a particular day. Also, clearing all of the ice and snow off of your car prior to driving keeps you and everyone else on the road safe. If the snow that was on your car gets left behind in the driveway or parking lot, it cannot slide onto your windshield and reduce your visibility and it cannot fly off and hit other vehicles. Before you shift into drive, make sure your seatbelt is fastened and ask everyone else in your vehicle to fasten their seatbelts too. Winter driving increases the risk that you will be involved in an accident, and seatbelts greatly increase your odds of surviving an accident.

Once you start driving, remember to adjust your driving habits to the road conditions. Slowing down is important because it enables you to maintain traction and it provides you with more time to adapt to changing road conditions and to the movements of other vehicles on the road. Do not use cruise control, as it can prevent you from noticing dangerous road conditions. Using a gentle touch with the gas and brake pedals can also help you to avoid sliding around on slippery roads.

Unfortunately, accidents can happen even when drivers do their best to adapt to winter weather conditions. If you have an accident, get checked out by a doctor right away, even if you do not believe that you are hurt. Some automobile accident injuries, including serious types of injuries, are not always immediately noticeable. In addition to seeing a doctor, call the caring and knowledgeable Memphis Automobile Accident Attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC, at 901-680-9777 as soon as possible.

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