Car Accidents and Poor Weather Conditions

Chattanooga drivers are very familiar with the difficulties of navigating the roadways during rain, snow, fog, hail, or sleet. While it is recommended to stay home and off the road, poor weather causes roads to become icy and slippery. In snowy or freezing rain conditions, drivers often weather conditions; some people still need to go to certain places that they cannot avoid because the weather is bad. Unfortunately, no matter how cautious you are, you cannot control the actions of other drivers during bad weather conditions, which can result in devastating car accidents.

How do poor weather conditions cause car accidents?

Bad weather causes car accidents by impacting the driver’s visibility and control, and it often includes the following:

• Snow and sleet: Snow and sleet causes roads to become icy and slippery. In snowy or freezing rain conditions, it is also common for drivers to hit patches of black ice, which is when ice blends in with the roadway.
• Fog: Many people do not realize how dangerous fog can be. However, it can heavily affect a driver’s visibility, making it difficult to see others on the road. This can create a dangerous situation where drivers cannot tell how fast a vehicle is traveling or even how close they are.
• Rain: If a driver decides to speed in the rain, they may hydroplane and cause a severe or fatal accident. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose traction and slide across the water, standing directly above the roadway.
• Hail: Hail usually occurs in severe thunderstorms. Hail, depending on its size, can lead to visibility issues if it cracks or shatters a vehicle’s windshield or other windows.

How to drive safely in poor weather conditions in Chattanooga

Safe driving requires careful attention and good habits. Here are a few ways to stay safe even in bad weather.

Make sure that your vehicle is ready for poor weather conditions: If you see that you will encounter bad weather during your trip, you should ensure that your vehicle is equipped and ready for the expected weather conditions. Inspect your vehicle’s lights, see if the tires have plenty of traction, and that your windshield wipers can clear the windshield. You may also want to store some blankets, snacks, water, and flashlights somewhere in your vehicle in case you need to pull over or become stranded for a long time due to the weather.

Take your time and reduce your speed: Many people know that life cannot automatically stop because of bad weather. Therefore, you may need to attend an important appointment, take your child somewhere, or even make a quick grocery trip during poor weather conditions. While this is understandable, you must remember to take your time and reduce your speed. Give yourself more time than usual to go where you need to go and drive at a speed below the posted speed limit. Driving at or above the speed limit in poor weather conditions can cause you to slide across the roadway and crash into other vehicles, run off the roadway, or slam into other objects, such as a pole or tree.

Leave plenty of space between vehicles: When driving in inclement weather, you need to leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Doing so gives you plenty of time to come to a complete stop should the vehicle you are following stop suddenly, spin out, or crash.

Avoid distractions: Do not use your cell phone. Do not change stations on the radio. Be sure your dog is secured in the back seat. Even tell passengers to keep the noise down so as not to distract you while driving in bad weather.

Lightly tap the gas pedal or brake: Avoid slamming on the brake or accelerating too quickly when driving in wet weather. Doing so could cause your vehicle to spin out of control, leading to a serious accident.

Turn on the headlights: Always use headlights, even in the daytime, when driving in fog, rain, snow, or sleet. This not only helps you see other vehicles and road users, but it also helps them see you when poor weather creates visibility issues.

Pull over if necessary: If the weather becomes too bad and you believe it is too dangerous to drive, you should pull over on the side of the roadway or into a parking lot as soon as possible. If you decide to pull over on the side of the road, it is important that you stay inside the vehicle, turn on your four-way flashers, and stay as far away from the road and moving traffic as possible.

What should I do if I am involved in a weather-related accident?

If you are involved in a weather-related accident, there are a few steps you should take immediately after, including:

• Call 911: Call 911 immediately so police, fire, and EMS can be dispatched to the scene. A police report will be created based on what is said and observed at the crash scene, and care will be provided by the responding EMTs/paramedics.
• Take photos and videos of the accident scene: If you can, take a few photos and videos of the accident scene. The photos and videos should show your injuries, the damage to the vehicles involved, the roadways around the accident scene, and the weather conditions.
• Seek medical attention: Right after you leave the accident scene, you should seek medical attention at a hospital, urgent care, or doctor’s office. Even if you believe that you are fine or that your injuries are minor, you should be checked out by a licensed medical provider right away to ensure that you do not have any hidden injuries.

Injured in a car accident caused by bad weather conditions? Do not delay in filing a claim, or you could miss out on the opportunity to recover compensation. Put your trust in the team at Wagner Workers’ Compensation & Injury Lawyers. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We represent clients in Chattanooga, Cleveland, North Georgia, and the surrounding areas.