According to statistics, more than 100,000 people were reported injured in vehicle crashes involving snowy, slushy, or icy pavement. And while this number continues to increase as the years go on, it urges drivers to take their defensive driving skills to the next level.
It’s no secret. Drivers don’t always keep up with the latest accident prevention articles on the web. But with the colder months quickly approaching, winter weather driving tips may be just what you need to keep safe.
Did you know 343 people die in traffic-related accidents during the three-day holiday season?
During the holidays, all of us are going crazy. We’re gathering presents and last-minute supplies. We’re rushing to meet with the family. The weather, snow, and ice don’t exactly help. And many of us have to work during this crazy time.
While there are plenty of reckless drivers, you can take your part and be a safe driver during the holiday season. Here are 4 driving safety tips that are perfect for the holidays.
As you make your way to work, you move to your favorite song. With each beat, you feel as though everything is right with the world.
All of a sudden, though, another motorist hits your automobile. Now, you’re faced with damage to your vehicle on top of pain in your neck. And suddenly, you feel as though your world has come crashing down.
You’re upset, and you wish you could hold the other driver accountable for the damage they have caused. The question is, is Washington a no fault state?
You’ve just been in an accident.
You know it wasn’t your fault, you were t-boned as you went through a green light. The other driver ran a red light.
After the immediate shock wears off, you start to regain your senses. But now what? What are you supposed to do?
Keep reading for a step by step guide on what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault.
Accidents vary in severity of damage both to the vehicles and to the people in them. If you’re seriously injured are feeling shaky and light-headed, we don’t advice getting out of the car unless doing so poses a danger. Wait for emergency responders.
Getting in a car accident can be mentally and emotionally traumatic. It can be devastating for your car and even worse, can cause a multitude of personal injuries.
These injuries can be acute, lasting only months, or chronic, causing pain and discomfort for years.
Fortunately, insurance companies exist to cover your damages, both for your vehicle and for your personal injuries. The question is how to get the most money from a car accident.
Keep reading for our expert advice.
It’s not uncommon for people to curse paying their car insurance every month when they have a perfect driving record. However, accidents happen all the time and you can’t control other drivers.
So, you’re out on a Saturday night during the summer and you decide to be safe and call an Uber. The Uber arrives, and as usual, they begin to drive you home after a fun-filled evening.
Then, all the sudden, you feel the car jerk and collide with something. As you look up, you notice that you and your Uber driver were just in a car accident. You’re not sure what actually happened and you feel shocked that this incident just occurred.
An Uber car accident can be confusing. And, while we hope a situation like this never happens to you, accidents do happen.
Winter is here, and that means snow is here, too.
Every year, hundreds of people are killed and thousands more are injured in winter weather car accidents. Many of these accidents could be prevented with safe driving techniques.
If you’re not confident driving in the snow, or if you just need a little driving safety refresher, keep reading.
Here are seven great tips that will help you stay safe while driving in snow.
One of the most important things to remember when you’re driving in the snow is to go slower than you normally would.
Each year, over 800 people die in the U.S. in auto crashes caused by winter weather such as snow and ice.
Driving on black ice is particularly dangerous because many times you don’t see it ahead of time until it’s too late.
Read on to learn how to drive on black ice to prevent a winter car accident this year.
Black ice is actually not black. Black ice is clear but often looks black because of the pavement underneath.
Black ice is often a very thin sheet of ice on the road. It is very difficult to see it. That’s what makes it so dangerous.
Motorcycle crash fatalities are 28 times more frequent than fatal passenger vehicle crashes.
We don’t say that to scare you. We say it to express how important safety is on your ride.
As many benefits as motorcycles have, the dangers are real. While you can’t control all your risk factors, there are things you can do to lower your risk of motorcycle accidents, especially as the holiday travel season approaches.
Before your next ride, keep these safety tips in mind.
One of the common ways motorcyclists get into accidents is when cars turn out in front of them. You can’t control the fact that other drivers don’t always pay attention, but you can take actions to make yourself as noticeable as possible.
First, wear noticeable colors. If you’re riding at night, wearing black from head to toe won’t do you any favors.
Second, position yourself like a car. Leave as much space between yourself and the cars in front of you as you would if you were a car. Don’t drive in between two lanes of cars. Overall, the key is to be where cars would expect you to be.
Along these same lines, be careful not to ride in any cars’ blind spots. This includes not riding too close to the car in front of you. If you do, other drivers who want to turn or change lanes behind that car won’t see you.
Finally, never assume anyone can see you. Defensive driving can save lives.
In the same way that you want other drivers to keep an eye out for you, you need to be aware of your surroundings as well to avoid a motorcycle accident.
No matter how long your ride may be, keep your mind on the road instead of getting distracted. Always know where the cars around you are by scanning your surroundings as well as your mirrors.
On top of other cars, you need to keep a watch on the road itself as well. Obstructions that seem small can launch a motorcycle into the air.
Weather is on the way and we’ll have snowy driving conditions before you know it. The weather should have an important effect on your driving habits.
If the road is slippery from ice, leave more space in front of your motorcycle than you would otherwise.
In some cases, the weather can also affect other drivers’ visibility. Whether the problem is fog, heavy rain, or heavy snow, try not to ride during these times. If you must, make sure your lights are on.
Proper maintenance doesn’t just protect you from expensive repairs. It helps you prevent accidents as well.
Keep up with your regular maintenance appointments so your motorcycle doesn’t have a critical problem. Check your lights every time to ride to ensure that they still work.
Your tires are among the most important parts of safety maintenance, though. Keep up with regular alignments and replace your tires as soon as their treads become worn.
For most bikers, their motorcycle is more than a mode of transportation. It’s a passion. As important as these tips are for safety, though sometimes motorcycle accidents are unavoidable. If that happens, call our personal injury lawyer.
Driving, texting, eating a burger-all at the same time and, now, it starts to rain. Most drivers over-exsert their focus while behind the wheel, which makes rainy conditions that much more dangerous.
A downpour is difficult to drive in, especially if you are driving on the highway. If you want to live to send your next text, you better prepare for rainy conditions. This article offers tips for driving in the rain by an auto accident attorney in Spokane.
Drivers, today, have more to be distracted by than ever. While texting and driving is the leading cause of teen accidents, road dangers are exacerbated by poor weather conditions. According to the Department of Transportation, 22 per cent, of the nearly six million, average annual crashes are caused by weather-related conditions.
The impact of rain on roads can be extremely dangerous. Driving on a rainy urban expressway with poor tire tread, at high speeds is a perfect recipe for disaster.
Take it from this auto accident attorney in Spokane: if you want to avoid filing a car accident police report-or worse-follow these tips for driving in the rain:
Cruise control is great when you are on long trips. But, when the road conditions get hazardous, turn it off. Rain and cruise control don’t mix.
Your cruise control understands what speed you want to drive at. It does not know when the tires are skidding or hydroplaning. Even when it loses traction, the car will continue to accelerate.
When your foot is on the pedal, you can tell is you have lost traction. It is imperative to respond immediately if your car starts to skid-which is not possible with cruise control active.
If you try to break while skidding you can lose control of your vehicle. This is especially dangerous if you are driving uphill or downhill. If cruise control is active when you go into a skid you will deactivate it by breaking-which is a bad idea.
In drivers education courses, you learn to give at least three seconds of space to the car in front of you. In optimal driving conditions, three seconds is enough time to see and react to a road event. But, in poor driving conditions, you need more reaction time.
Give yourself a five to eight-second space between your car and the car in front of you. In the event of heavy rain and poor visibility, five seconds is barely enough time to avoid a collision.
Measure how much time you have to react to the car in front of you by matching their speed. Then, pick a visual point ahead of you and start counting when the car in front of yours passes it. The number of seconds, between when the first car passes the stable point, to when your car passes it, is the amount of reaction time you have.
Become comfortable with proper driving technique when your car is skidding. The most important thing is to stay calm. If you start to panic the dangers increase, exponentially.
Point the tires in the direction you want to move, and let your foot off of the gas. Do not pump the breaks, but press down, gradually. Try to counteract the skid with light force, instead of slamming on the breaks.
As long as you observe the rules for driving in the rain you can avoid an accident. If you are in an accident because of poor driving conditions, consult an accident attorney.
Driving is the most dangerous thing you do in your day, but your safety is in your hands. Take it from this auto accident attorney in Spokane-these tips can save the life of you, your loved ones, and those that drive near you. When driving in the rain, remember to stay calm and find your traction.
If these tips for driving in the rain, by an auto accident attorney in Spokane, are helpful, share this article with friends on social media. And, subscribe to our newsletter to receive the most recent posts from the blog. Thanks for reading!
