Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers Advise Caution as Winter Begins
We should be used to the kind of accident risks we face in winter, considering the amount of snow and ice we see on Indian’s roads at this time every year. Unfortunately, the season’s first snowfall continues to take many motorists and truckers in Indiana by surprise, contributing to accidents.
This week, Indianapolis saw its first snowfall of the season, and not surprisingly, a series of accidents caused mainly by vehicles unprepared for the snow. Several interstates were backed up, and I-65 was the scene of a multi-vehicle accident involving five cars. There have been no serious injuries or fatalities reported, but as the days go by, we can expect more freezing weather, snow-covered streets, slick roads and poor visibility.
As Indiana personal injury lawyers, we are also concerned about “peephole driving.” We see far too many motorists in Merrillville and around Lake County, driving without bothering to remove the accumulation of snow and ice from the top and front of their cars. It’s frustrating to see cars, SUV and light trucks plowing through the roads, covered completely in snow and ice, except for a small patch in the front windshield where the driver has bothered to clean enough snow for him to be able to see the road ahead. This is incredibly foolish behavior, and only increases your chances of an accident.
As the month ends, more numbers of drivers will hit the highways to travel over the holiday season. This only increases the risk of crashes. As Indiana auto accident lawyers, we would advise these tips for safe travel during winter:
• Keep your windshields clear of snow and ice while driving.
• When visibility lowers, switch on your headlights not only to see other vehicles, but also to allow them to see you.
• Avoid using cruise control.
• Keep within speed limits. If the roads are covered with snow, lower your speeds as appropriate.
• Keep enough distance not just from the vehicle in front of you, but also from the vehicles in the adjacent lanes. Strong winds can push your vehicle out of its lane.
• If road conditions are becoming worse, see if you can take an alternate route that will help you avoid bad weather, or put off your trip all together.
• Keep yourself aware and informed of road and traffic conditions. The Indiana Department of Transportation has a new website TrafficWise that gives motorists a look at current road and traffic conditions, as well as forecasts for the next few hours. We believe this is an important tool for motorists.
