From snowstorm whiteouts, which limit visibility, to patches of black ice that can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, winter weather brings considerable road hazards. Even though winter driving in Gaithersburg can be unpredictable and dangerous, there are steps you can take to avoid a car accident. By properly preparing your car for colder temperatures and learning how to safely steer through winter obstacles, you can remain calm in the face of winter weather driving.
Check Your Tires
Before you attempt to drive in snowy, icy conditions, you need to make sure that your tires have adequate tread. If your tire treads are worn down, you should replace them right away. An even better idea is to replace your regular tires with a set of snow tires, which are designed to give you better traction on slippery road surfaces caused by winter weather conditions. In addition, make sure your vehicle’s lights are working throughout the winter season and that your windshield wiper fluid is made to withstand freezing conditions.
Steer Out of a Skid
If you lose control of your vehicle while driving, you need to avoid overreacting in order to regain control. Cars with antilock braking systems will automatically pump the brakes for you in a skid. In this case, you will feel the brake pedal pulsating. If your car doesn’t have this feature, slowly apply pressure in a pumping motion to your brakes.
Stay Safe after an Accident
In the event of a car accident, pull to the right side of the road, as far away from traffic as possible. Next, put on your hazard lights and remain in your car with the seatbelt on while you call for help. If you have a flare, you can use it to call attention to your vehicle as you wait. By signaling to other motorists in this way, you can help prevent further collisions and injury.
Call (301) 840-0404 to schedule a free consultation with Sussman & Simcox: Attorneys at Law. Our Gaithersburg law firm is dedicated solely to personal injury cases to ensure that our clients receive the very best representation. Our auto accident attorneys provide fair, honest assessments of our clients’ cases.
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.
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