A Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer Shares Tips to Avoid Weather-Related Accidents and Steps to Take if You’re Hurt in a Crash
As a Wisconsin driver, you're no stranger to the challenges posed by Mother Nature. From blizzards that blanket the landscape in white to torrential downpours that flood the streets, bad weather can strike at any moment.
At Hupy and Abraham, we understand the importance of staying safe on the road, no matter the conditions. As experienced Wisconsin car accident lawyers, we've seen firsthand the devastating consequences of weather-related crashes. We are here to help you prevent these types of crashes or recover damages when someone else causes a crash.
Seven Essential Tips for Driving Safely in Inclement Weather
You can’t prevent every accident. You depend on other drivers to drive safely in all conditions. However, you can reduce your risk of bad weather accidents if you:
- Slow down. Reduce your speed to account for decreased visibility and traction. It takes longer to stop or adjust if the roads are slippery or you can’t see very far in front of you.
- Increase your following distance. Give yourself extra room behind the vehicle in front of you so you have extra time to stop on slick roads or if the driver in front suddenly brakes.
- Have proper tire tread. Balding tires can severely reduce your ability to control your vehicle in wet or snowy conditions. Check your tire tread regularly, and replace tires as needed.
- Avoid sudden movements. Abrupt braking, acceleration, or turning can cause you to lose control. In wet weather, use a light touch on the controls.
- Turn on your lights. Turning on your headlights improves your visibility to other drivers, especially in rain, snow, or fog.
- Steer into a skid. If your rear wheels start to skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go.
- Pull over if you feel unsafe. If the weather is too severe, find a safe place to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. However, be cautious about parking on the side of the road where another vehicle might hit you.
Wisconsin Weather to Watch For
Wisconsin drivers face a variety of challenging weather conditions throughout the year. Some of the most common include:
Rain
Even in drivable rain conditions, it’s essential to slow down, stay in the middle lane (if possible), and keep 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, when downpours can be unpredictable and lightning flashes can temporarily blind drivers.
Heavy rain can also cause hydroplaning. Slowly take your foot off the accelerator to maintain control of your vehicle while hydroplaning. Avoid sharp or sudden turns and hard braking to keep the car from skidding.
Snow and Ice
Winter weather can create treacherous driving conditions. Drivers should apply full pressure to the brakes and keep applying this pressure while trying to steer their car. Do not slam on the brakes.
If you get stuck in the snow, 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. In some cars, you may also try shifting from reverse to drive and lightly accelerating to rock your car free.
Fog and Wind
Thick fog can severely reduce visibility, making it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles in the road. Additionally, strong wind gusts can push your vehicle out of your lane or cause debris to blow onto the road.
What to Do if You're Hurt in a Weather-Related Accident
Despite your best efforts to stay safe, car accidents can still happen. Whether you are hurt on a sunny day or during a storm, it’s essential to:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor
- Document the scene with photos if it's safe to do so
- Get contact and insurance information from the other driver(s) involved
- Contact an experienced Wisconsin car accident lawyer to protect your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve. While past results do not guarantee an outcome in your case, we have successfully settled cases for clients hurt in difficult weather conditions. For example, we helped a client hurt during a blizzard recover more than $26,000 after the insurance company initially offered an $8,500 settlement.