Updated on: 11/8/2022
Research shows 24% of all crashes occur during adverse weather conditions such as ice, snow and rain.
Most drivers in Seattle do not account these factors as adverse driving conditions and a reason to still drive with caution. Slowing down and increasing the distance between traveling cars is a way to decrease the number of car accidents in bad weather.
Crash Increase Due To Road Conditions
Ice on the road can wreak havoc on roadways. When a big storm rolls in, drivers tend to either slow down too much or not enough. Drivers need to be wary of driving in any change of weather. Nearly one quarter of all crashes occur in bad weather conditions.
Weather can impact visibility, distance, pavement friction, vehicle performance and travel speeds. Drivers need to have a better understanding of how weather impacts our roads and then we can make better travel decisions. Accidents due to ice or snow on the road can be avoided if drivers slow down and increase their distance from the car ahead. Keeping a step ahead may help you get to where you’re going.
The laws of physics say that an object in motion will stay in motion, with the same speed and direction, unless it is acted upon by an outside force. For example, if you’re traveling at 60 MPH and your car hits a solid wall and comes to an immediate stop, your body will continue going at 60 MPH until it is stopped by a seat belt, airbag or possibly even a windshield.
Helpful Tips to Remember While Driving in The Snow and Ice
- If you car has a manual transmission, pull away in second gear easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid your wheels from spinning
- Try and avoid having to stop part way up a hill by waiting until it is clear of other cars or by leaving plenty of room from the car in front.
- When traveling downhill, reduce your speed before the hill, use a low gear and try as best you can to avoid using your brakes
- If you have to use your breaks then apply them gently.
- If your car has an automatic transmission, in snowy conditions it’s best to select “2,” which limits the gear changes and makes you less reliant on your brakes. Some of the newer cars have a “Winter” mode which locks out the first gear to reduce the risk of wheel spin.
- If you do indeed get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. An old item from a rug cleaning Seattle service or cardboard in front of the driving wheels to give the tires some grip, will help your car get into motion.
Contact An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
The team of car accident lawyers at Davis Law Group have helped auto accident victims get fair compensation after an accident in Washington since 1994. Our team has what it takes to properly investigate and prepare every auto accident claim as if it is going to go to trial, which puts the maximum level of pressure on the insurance companies to offer fair compensation to our clients.
Call our office in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 or use the confidential contact form on this page to request a free legal consultation with our team. Our attorneys will meet with you free of charge to help you better understand your legal rights and determine if hiring a lawyer would add significant value to your case.