Winter Weather Car Accidents

Winter season is generally the most dangerous time to be on the road in America. During these colder and wetter months, the snow, ice, rain, slush and blizzards cause 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 snowy, slushy, icy or wet roads. Furthermore, the FHA reports that more than 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 are injured in motor vehicle accidents in these types of road conditions every year.

Causes of Car Accidents In Winter Months

The most common causes of 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 in turn can cause your wheels to lose traction. This makes 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, which are typically laden with dried oil and dust. The first few storms can cause the oil to turn the road into a slip-and-slide for the vehicles.
• Poor visibility. Inclement weather, especially snowfall, can block a motorist’s visibility of the road ahead. Thick fog can even make it impossible for a driver to see a few feet ahead.
• Poor vehicle maintenance. Failing to properly maintain your car before the start of winter is recipe for disaster. One of the most common ways to neglect your car is not to change the 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 To 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 and future medical costs
• Loss of wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional and mental trauma
• Loss of consortium

Call an Orange County Car Accident Attorney Today!

The legal team at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas is dedicated to helping our injured clients reach the best monetary settlement when they are involved in any type of accidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and seriously injured, our experienced Orange County car accident attorneys are available to personally review your case. Call us at 1-888-848-5048 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.