Drivers and Winter Road Dangers
At Bednarz Law, we know that car crashes and collisions are complex events, which often involve multiple factors. For drivers in Nashville, winter weather conditions can end up presenting serious dangers on the roads, making it more likely for car accidents and injuries to occur. For over 30 years, we have been representing drivers involved in these types of conditions. To protect yourself and your passengers, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers, and what you should do in the event a car accident does happen.
How Winter Conditions Impact Driver Safety
While we do not see the severe cold and heavy snow accumulations experienced in the mountain regions surrounding Tennessee, Nashville is subject to freezing temperatures and adverse weather conditions throughout the winter months. According to US Climate Data, temperatures in December, January, and February average around 50 degrees during the day, while nights and periodic cold fronts can cause the thermometer to dip below freezing. Average annual snowfall is less than a foot, but there are plenty of occasions for rain and icy, wet conditions. Unfortunately, this increases the risk for car accidents, resulting in serious and potentially life threatening injuries.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) reports that adverse weather plays a significant role in nearly 25 percent of the motor vehicle accidents that occur throughout the United States each year. Of the more than 1.2 million crashes that are weather-related, the majority of these occur as the result of wet, rainy conditions. Common impacts faced by drivers include the following:
- Difficulty in maintaining tire traction, resulting in hydroplaning;
- Poor visibility and increased headlight glare;
- Reduced ability to brake or to stop suddenly in response to traffic conditions;
- Increased likelihood of skidding, particularly when changing lanes or making turns.
Holding at Fault Drivers Accountable when Accidents Occur
Weather may be a contributing factor in car and truck accidents, but often it is the reckless actions of other drivers that is ultimately to blame. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises that the following are common types of risky driving behaviors that can make collisions more likely, particularly in dangerous winter conditions:
- Distracted driving, such as using cell phones or texting, which can cause you to miss seeing icy patches on the road or changes in traffic conditions;
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions, which can make skidding and hydroplaning more likely;
- Aggressive driving, such as tailgating and failure to yield, which can increase the likelihood of rear end crashes and side collisions;
- Driving under the influence, which impairs vision, judgment, and response time, making potentially life threatening injuries more likely to occur.
Let Us Help You Today
Anytime a truck, car, or other motor vehicle accident occurs, your first steps should be to notify police, seek medical treatment, inform your insurer, and contact our Nashville car accident attorneys. Bednarz Law provides the trusted, personalized legal representation you need to help ensure you get the most out of your claim. Request a consultation today to discuss your case.