Watching the snow fall outside may seem peaceful when you are curled up under a blanket on your couch binge-watching The Office on Netflix. However, if you have to travel someplace or are already stuck on the road, you likely don’t feel the same sentiment about the snow and winter weather.  The snow and ice create slippery roadways which should give you cause for caution.

Needless to say, winter weather conditions can present dangerous driving situations.  The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration concurs. They have found that over 210,000 crashes happen each year due to snow and sleet conditions and around 800 people die annually as a result of these winter weather related car accidents.

Winter weather can leave you dealing with vehicle damage, serious injuries and being left overwhelmed with insurance companies calling you and sending volumes of legal documents to review.

Drivers in need of an experienced car accident lawyer in Bucks County can turn to the Law Offices of Rovner, Allen, Rovner, Zimmerman & Nash.  For over 40 years, we have offered experienced and comprehensive representation for clients who are picking up the pieces following a winter weather-related car accident. In addition to our top-notch legal services, here are some tips on how to safely navigate winter weather.

• Be Prepared: Always be prepared for the worst. Whether your car breaks down and you are stranded on the side of the road, or you get into a collision, you will want to be ready. Make sure your car has enough gas for your trip, you have an emergency supply kit in case you get stranded (jumper cables, first aid, flashlight, water, food, cell phone charger, flares, snow shovel, water, and a blanket) and your car has recently been serviced.

• Clean off your vehicle: This may seem like common sense but cleaning off your car will help you and other drivers around you, and it is required by law. Brushing the snow off the top of your vehicle, and scraping the ice from your windshields will help you maintain optimal visibility and reduce the chance of an accident. If snow flies off of your vehicle and causes harm to another, you could be found to be at fault.

• Keep your distance: First off, you should never tailgate another driver. When it is snowing or there is ice, you should always keep extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will give you more time to react to whatever happens on the road and to stop in slippery conditions.

• Slow down: Your tires can easily lose traction with the road surface when there is snow and ice. Whether you are turning, braking, passing someone or merging, keep your speed down as it will help to keep traction with the roadway and lessen the damage in case of an impact.

• Avoid locking your wheels: When driving in this weather, make sure to tap your brakes repeatedly to help your wheels avoid locking. If you have an anti-lock braking system you do not need to do this and you should firmly push down the brakes. This will allow you to maintain control of your vehicle when it is sliding and also shorten the distance of being out of control.

If you are looking for an experienced accident lawyer in Montgomery County or want to learn more about these helpful tips, we encourage you to call us at 215-259-5958 or fill out a contact form on our website to schedule a free initial consultation today.