Preventing Accidents and Injuries During Bad Weather

Many parts of the country are dealing with heavy snowfall and glacial temperatures and the snow and ice covering the roadways can pose a serious threat to you and your vehicle.

Stay in Control in Icy Conditions

Anyone heading out in blistering conditions must be aware of their surroundings, especially in situations where you may be dealing with black ice.

• As soon as your car begins to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal.
• Try and remain calm and fight the natural instinct to slam on brakes. This is the one thing you should NEVER do. Pumping your brakes could lockup your tires and increase your chances of having an accident.
• Tap on the break lightly and gradually slow down.

If you feel the back end of your car sliding left or right, make a very gentle turn of the steering wheel in the same direction. Attempting to steer in the opposite direction could cause you to skid or spin into disaster.

It may seem like common sense, but do not rush to your destination. Other driving tips in icy weather:

• Watch or listen to weather forecasts and reports: Certain weather reports that advice motorists to take different routes to avoid encountering worse conditions.
• Complete a pre-trip inspection: Check your brakes, wheels and tires, steering wheel and most especially your engine.

Remember to use extreme caution on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads as these freeze first. At temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might still encounter ice patches.

For those who have been involved in a car accident caused by black ice, an experienced injury attorney can help you understand your rights and options.

At the law offices of PKSD, our entire team of Milwaukee personal injury lawyers and support staff are dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured, and can help to fight for your MAXIMUM compensation amount.

Learn more about your legal options by contacting us today. Your first consultation is free and we only get paid when a recovery is made on your behalf.