Winter Weather Car Accidents
Winter is typically the most dangerous time to be on the road. During these colder and wetter months, the rain, slush, snow, and ice lead to more motor vehicle accidents than during any other time of the year.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), approximately 24% of weather-related car accidents happen on wet, snowy, slushy, or icy roads. In addition, according to the FHA, every year more than 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 are injured in motor vehicle accidents in these types of road conditions.
Causes of Car Accidents In Winter Months
The most common causes of motor vehicle accidents in winter are wet or icy roads, poor visibility and poor maintenance of vehicles.
- Wet or slushy roads. Most accidents that occur during the winter months occur on wet or icy roads. Ice makes the road slippery, which causes your car’s tires to lose traction, making braking, accelerating, turning and reversing more difficult. The same is true for wet roads. In states that don’t generally experience too much inclement weather, like California, the first few rainstorms can wreak havoc on the roads, due to the build up of oil and dust on the roads. The first few storms can cause the oil to turn the road into a slip-and-slide for all vehicles.
- Poor visibility. Inclement weather, especially snowfall, can block a motorist’s visibility of the road. Thick fog can even make it impossible for a driver to see a few feet ahead.
- Poor vehicle maintenance. Failing to properly maintain your vehicle before the start of winter is recipe for disaster. One of the most common ways to neglect your car is not to change worn out tires. Bald tires or tires with worn threads can be ineffective at gripping the road. This can make your car likely to slip or skid, especially on wet, icy or slushy roads during the winter months.
What You Should Do If You Are In a Car Accident
If you are injured in a serious accident that was caused by another motorist, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident attorney can get you monetary compensation for your:
- Past, current, and future medical costs
- Loss of wages
- Loss of earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental trauma
- Loss of consortium
Call a Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney Today
The legal team at the Law Offices of Vahdat & Aboudi is dedicated to helping our injured clients reach the best monetary settlement when they are involved in any type of accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, our experienced Los Angeles car accident attorneys are available to review your case free of charge. Call us at 1-800-BUT-4-LAW to schedule a complimentary consultation with our legal team today.