While car accidents occur for a wide variety of reasons, adverse weather conditions are one common factor in collisions that take place in Central Illinois. Winter weather can be especially dangerous. Of the 1.2 million weather-related car accidents that occur every year in the United States, 29 percent take place on icy, snowy, or slushy pavement, and 18 percent occur while snow or sleet is falling. Studies have found that Illinois is one of the deadliest states for winter driving, with an average of 27 fatal car accidents taking place during the winter each year. In some cases, a personal injury claim can provide compensation for injuries suffered in a winter auto accident caused by a negligent driver.
Causes of Winter Vehicle Crashes
Winter weather presents a number of risks that can affect drivers, and accidents can occur if drivers fail to account for winter conditions or do not take steps to drive safely in inclement weather. Collisions may take place during the winter because of:
-
Reduced traction – Snow, ice, or slush on the roads can have a significant impact on a driver’s ability to control their vehicle. A car or truck may require additional distance to slow down or stop, and vehicles may skid when braking suddenly or making turns. Collisions can occur if drivers do not travel at a safe speed or if they follow other vehicles too closely. In addition to accounting for snow or slush, drivers should be prepared for “black ice” that may not be immediately obvious, but may still affect their ability to slow down or stop.
-
Limited visibility – During a snowstorm, heavy fog, or other types of winter weather, drivers’ ability to see other vehicles or obstacles in the road may be limited. During these conditions, drivers should take extra care to ensure that they can see the road around them, and they should reduce their speed to avoid collisions.
-
Mechanical failures – If a vehicle is not properly maintained, this can result in a loss of control when driving in winter weather. For example, if tires are not properly inflated, this can lead to reduced traction, or if windshield wipers or headlights are not working correctly, this can lead to a further reduction in a driver’s ability to see other vehicles and the road.
-
Dangerous roads and highways – Roads that are already dangerous, such as the busy highways and rural roads in Central Illinois, can become even more hazardous in winter weather.
-
Unsafe driving – When drivers do not follow traffic laws or act aggressively or recklessly, they put themselves and others in danger. Traffic violations such as distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, tailgating, making illegal turns or lane changes, or failing to obey stop signs or traffic signals can be even more dangerous during the winter, and drivers who commit these types of violations are more likely to cause car crashes that result in injuries to others.
Contact Our Peoria Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have been injured in a car crash that took place during the winter, Kanoski Bresney can provide you with the skilled legal help and representation you need and deserve. We will gather evidence to show that a negligent driver was responsible for your injuries, and we will fight to make sure you are fully compensated for your damages. Call our qualified Springfield car accident lawyers today at 888-826-8682 to set up a free consultation.
Sources:
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm
https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/winter-driving-statistics/
https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/deadliest-states-winter-driving