5 Tips To Prevent Winter Car Accidents

Now that it’s the middle of winter, you’ve probably gotten the hang of driving in the snow again. However, there are nearly 157,000 traffic accidents each year due to snow and ice-covered roadways. Nearly 117,000 of those accidents cause injuries. Oftentimes, accidents in the winter happen no matter how cautious you are. There are some preventative measures you can take to keep yourself and others safe, though. Read on to see what they are.

Remove Snow

This may seem like a no-brainer, but many people don’t take the time to remove the snow from their cars before hitting the road. However, skipping this imperative step can lead to major consequences. If you don’t clear your front and rear windshields and all passenger windows, you can’t see well enough to avoid accidents. You need to be able to see when you back up, switch lanes, and make turns--not just when you’re driving forward. Get an automatic car starter or start your car early. You might have to brush away some snow and ice, but it will take much less time if your car has been running for a while.

Slow Down

This seems like another obvious tip, but once people grow accustomed to driving in winter weather, they tend to speed up. Your tires won’t grip the road as well in snow or ice, and it will take longer to brake, accelerate, and turn. It’s best to drive 45 mph or slower in snow or ice. This can give you more time to react or reduce the damage if you are in a collision.

Maintain Your Car

It’s especially important to maintain your car in the winter. Worn wiper blades can leave snow, ice, and dirt on your windshield and block your vision, and low tire tread will give you less control on roadways. Replace them and make sure everything else is working properly to avoid breakdowns. Other drivers will be more likely to hit you if you break down on the side of the road during a blizzard or storm because they won’t see you or won’t be able to stop in time.

Pay Attention

Many people are tempted to look at their phones or adjust the radio, but not paying attention in inclement weather can cause accidents. Remember that your car won’t stop, swerve, or turn as quickly in snow and ice, so you need to watch the road and keep both hands on the wheel. It’s even a good idea to lower your heat to stay alert. You will also want to make sure that your car isn’t multi-tasking--if you try to brake and turn at the same time, you might lose control. Be sure to slow down while you’re still going straight when the roadways are slick before making a turn.

In an Accident?

Many times, winter accidents happen despite your best efforts. If you hit someone or someone hits you, be sure to move to a safe area, stop, and turn off your car. Make sure you aren’t injured before you try to get out of the driver’s seat. If you’re okay, get out and see if the other driver, passengers, or pedestrians are okay as well. If anyone is injured, call 911. If everyone is alright, you should also call the police to file a report. Then, exchange insurance information. If you can, take a few pictures of the damage while you’re at the scene.

Get a Car Accident Lawyer

If you, the other driver, passengers, or pedestrians were hurt in the accident, you may want to get a car accident Lawyer or personal injury Lawyer. A car accident Lawyer can advise you on your next steps. You may not think that you need a car accident Lawyer or personal injury Lawyer; however, even if no one is exhibiting any signs of injury right away, it doesn’t mean they won’t later. It isn’t a bad idea to see a doctor after you’ve been in an accident as well. You can even consult with a car accident Lawyer or personal injury Lawyers to see if you will need to take any action. If the weather isn’t safe, it’s best not to drive in it. However, taking these preventative measures this winter can help you avoid accidents when you have to go out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I or the other driver don't have insurance?

What if I or the other driver don't have insurance?

‍Answer: Ontario's auto insurers provide accident benefits and liability insurance. The accident benefits claim and the tort claim both work together toward covering your losses stemming from the accident. So, what happens when one of the parties involved doesn't have insurance? I've listed the most common scenarios:

A rear-ends B. A doesn't have insurance. B does have insurance:

The standard Ontario insurance policy includes coverage in-case the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured. B's insurer would be on the hook for the accident benefits and the damages caused by the at-fault party as well (tort claim).

A strikes B (a cyclist). A has insurance. B doesn't have insurance:

In this case, it's up to A's insurer to provide both accident benefits in addition to compensation for the damages caused by A.

A is a pedestrian struck by driver B. A is injured. Neither A nor B have insurance:

In this circumstance, plaintiffs turn to the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. The fund may provide:

Accident benefits
Death and funeral benefits
Compensation for personal injury or property damage (except for vehicles)

Although the fund does not work exactly like an insurer, it does provide a safety net for injured parties with no accessible insurance policy.

Resources:

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Slip and Falls - Should you take the insurance company's offer to settle?

Three weeks ago I was at a retail store and tripped over winter matting near the entrance. I fell and broke my wrist. Today an Insurance adjuster called me. He said I was responsible to look where I was walking but he offered me $5000.00 to help me out as I have been off work. I am on sick leave and have not lost any income. Is there any reason not to just take the money?

Plenty of Reason. Leaving aside what happened, and what you might be entitled to recover as a result of your injuries, it is always a good idea to consult with a Lawyer before taking a settlement proposed by an insurance company. Insurance adjusters work for Insurance companies and they do not approach a settlement based on what you are entitled to. They offer money based on the risk of what you might receive by way of an award. Generally, they will try and settle a claim or potential claim for as little as they reasonable can in order to close off a risk.

‍A Lawyer will work for you. Many Lawyers offer a free consultation. I find I ask a lot of questions and do a lot of listening during a consultation. I try to give my client an understanding of the legal issues arising in their circumstances, and what the options are going forward.

‍Assert your rights. Over the years I have come to understand that people almost always benefit from at least consulting with a Lawyer before trying to settle with an insurance company. There is a significant imbalance between a lone individual and a huge insurance company. A Lawyer has the knowledge to help level the playing field. In my experience insurers will see a greater risk when dealing with an injured person who is represented by a Lawyer. Greater risk to insurers leads to better settlements.

I was a cyclist hit in a car accident. What are my rights?

I was a cyclist involved in a car accident. What are my rights?

In short, the same as those of a driver or passenger. Liability may be handled differently, but the cyclist maintains a right to claim against the at-fault driver and seek benefits from the applicable insurer. Your car insurance is meant to provide accident benefits if you're involved in a car accident. It does not matter whether you were actually driving a car. As long as you have car insurance, your accident benefits should kick in. If you don't have car insurance, the at-fault driver's insurance will provide accident benefits. Either way, you should be covered by a policy. If neither of you has insurance, there's still the motor vehicle accident fund which acts as a safety net in cases where insurance is not available.

Typically, there's an assumption that the cyclist was not at fault. This does not mean you can pedal around with no regard to surrounding traffic. You still have to be diligent and you still owe yourself an obligation to proceed with reason. Any contribution found on your behalf will reduce the value of your claim. You can be deemed contributorily negligent if you don't wear the proper protective gear, or if you don't abide by the rules of the road.

Seasonal changes in traffic will often give rise to increases in car accidents involving cyclist. A good portion of the driving population does not properly adapt to these changes. This causes drivers to make assumptions they shouldn't make: disregarding their blind spot, failing to keep track of cyclist in the bike lane, opening their doors without thinking of oncoming cyclist. Unfortunately, the injuries are often devastating. Even with protective gear, the force of direct impact may leave the cyclist with serious, life-changing and permanent injuries.

Need a Personal Injury Lawyer? Reach out to a licensed professional today and get a no-obligation consultation