Since 2005, Wisconsin has seen an average of 120,645 vehicle crashes per year. With such a high incidence of Milwuakee car accidents — combined with the state’s severe winter road conditions — Wisconsin drivers take a risk behind the wheel.

During severe weather, it is always advisable to stay off the roads. If you must drive, there are important factors to keep in mind to increase your safety on the road. The following is a list of common Wisconsin weather road scenarios and tips to reduce car crashes and injuries, provided by Hupy and Abraham

Common Automobile Occurences Situations in Wisconsin car and semi truck driving in bad weather

  • Sudden braking on ice.
    • Drivers with anti-lock brakes should apply full pressure to the brakes and keep applying this pressure while trying to steer around any obstacles in front of the car. Drivers should never pump anti-lock brakes, as this makes them less effective.
    • Those without anti-lock brakes should also press the brakes firmly while keeping the heel of the foot anchored to the floor to avoid locking the wheel. Do not slam on the brakes.
  • Hydroplaning.
    In order to maintain control of your vehicle while hydroplaning, slowly take your foot off the accelerator. Avoid sharp or sudden turns and avoid hard braking; this will keep the car from skidding and help you maintain control of the vehicle. Before setting out in rainy conditions, it’s important to check the tread depth of your tires.
  • Getting stuck.
    If you are on the highway or a busy road, immediately turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists that you are stopped. Try not to spin your wheels, as this will make it harder to extract the vehicle; instead, slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth to clear some snow from the sides of the tires. Depending on what the vehicle’s owner manual says, try shifting from reverse to drive and lightly accelerating to rock your car free.
  • Heavy precipitation.
    In drivable conditions, you can increase driving safety by slowing down, staying toward the middle lanes and keeping a safe following distance. If you are driving in heavy precipitation and your windshield wipers and headlights are not providing good visibility, it is best to pull over and wait it out. This is especially true during thunderstorms, as lightning flashes can temporarily blind drivers.

Have You Been Injured In A Wisconsin, Illinois or Iowa Car Accident?

If you've been injured in a car accident you should speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can contact us online or call our office directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. We have been helping car accident victims since 1964 and service clients throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.