The number of car accidents that occur during a New Jersey winter are higher than at other times of the year. This is due in part to intoxicated holiday drivers and adverse weather conditions. Road conditions in New Jersey can be treacherous during the winter months, and accidents are common. A winter car accident is more likely to result in a serious injury or fatality, and grim statistics from Safe Winter Roads confirm that nearly 76,000 people are in fact injured in a vehicle crash during snowfall or sleet. Can you guess the top 3 reasons why this is the case?
Snow
According to the Federal Highway Administration, a quarter (1 in four) of all car accidents on US highways are caused by adverse weather conditions. During a heavy New England winter, snow is often the top cause of car accidents in December, January, and February.
Snow leads to slippery roads and greatly reduces a driver's visibility. Objects on and alongside roadways can be hidden in deep snow, and more one-car accidents are reported as drivers collide with hidden obstructions such as mailboxes. To add insult to injury, your insurance company is likely to assign blame to an accident, even in situations where no single person is at fault. If you find yourself in an accident due to adverse road conditions, even if you were not hit by another driver, there is a good chance your insurance company will fault you and raise your rates.
Ice
Snow and ice go hand in hand. Driving in the snow feels more stable than driving on ice, however, too often motorists mistake an icy road for a snowy one. Many times ice is hiding under that snow so drivers go faster than they think they can handle on these roads, leading to an accident. This type of ice is sometimes called "black ice" because it leaves a transparent glaze over the asphalt.
A key habit you need to make when driving in the winter is to greatly increase your braking distance from what you are used to. It takes much longer to slow down on slippery roads.
Texting
The temptation to look at our phones when we are driving clearly does not disappear just because adverse weather conditions suddenly make it much more dangerous to text and drive. When driving in the snow, it is important to have both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel, as it can be difficult to maneuver your vehicle. If a message is really urgent, you can always pull over to make a phone call.
If you've been injured in a winter car accident this year, Attorney James Vasquez of The Law Offices of James Vasquez, PC can work on your personal injury case. As a dedicated New Jersey car accident attorney, he works closely with clients to ensure they receive the maximum settlement allowed by insurance laws. Don't accept a lowball offer, call (862) 247-8711 for a free consultation.