While the New York metropolitan area has its share of auto accidents year-round, the arrival of winter weather significantly compounds the hazards already present on our roadways. During the winter months, individuals with poor driving habits become even more of a threat to other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
A U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration study found that 1,836 deaths and 136,309 injuries occur each year in the U.S. due to crashes on snowy or icy roads. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Auto Insurance Center data ranked New York as the fifth most dangerous winter driving state behind Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
People are taught the dangers of winter travel from driver’s education classes onward, but many still do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others. If you have been involved in a car accident during inclement weather and suffered a serious injury, you should get legal help from a personal injury attorney who can illustrate the driver’s negligence in court and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Here are some of the primary contributing factors in winter car wrecks:
Driving Too Fast for the Conditions
Despite all the warnings, many drivers fail to sufficiently reduce their speed during freezing rain, sleet, snow, and ice. With more than 500,000 annual auto accidents occurring during bad winter weather, a massive chunk of these crashes could be prevented by simply slowing down, whether on the expressway or local roads.
Unsafe Following Distance
Under ideal conditions, it is recommended drivers maintain a three to four second gap between them and the car directly in front of them. During winter precipitation, that recommendation increases to 8 to 10 seconds. Not doing so greatly increases the chances of a rear-end collision.
Distracted Driving
While it might seem like an obvious thing to avoid, and it is a violation of traffic laws in New York, many drivers still cannot live without checking their text messages, email, or social media or making cell phone calls while they are driving. During wintry weather, even the slightest moment of inattention can prove catastrophic on slick roads, and distracted drivers can cause serious accidents.
Contact a Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer
The most dangerous driving time of the year has arrived, and during the winter months, innocent victims are frequently injured by irresponsible drivers who fail to protect others’ safety. If an unsafe driver injured you, either in a vehicle or as a pedestrian, Goldberg Sager & Associates will fight to help you receive compensation to pay for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call a New York City personal injury attorney at 718-645-6677 for a free consultation.
Sources:
http://icyroadsafety.com/fatalitystats.shtml
https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/02/06/winter-fatal-car-accidents/97551588/
