Accident injury lawyers at McCourt Law Offices see an increase in certain kinds of motor vehicle accidents at this time of year due to the hazardous winter driving conditions in Edmonton. Accidents can lead to serious injuries such as concussions and whiplash. Edmonton lawyers at our firm prepared this list of tips to help you drive safe this winter and avoid injury. If you or a loved one does end up in a winter driving accident caused by another person’s negligence, ensure that you get the compensation you deserve by contacting our team of trusted accident injury lawyers in Edmonton.
ACCIDENT INJURY LAWYERS’ TIPS TO DRIVE SAFE THIS WINTER IN EDMONTON
Car accidents in winter are avoidable if safe driving tips such as this are followed: 1. Adjust your vehicle’s speed based on weather, visibility, and road conditions. Speed limits are intended for ideal driving conditions. If the roads are icy, snow-covered, or otherwise slippery, slow down. The same is true if visibility is reduced due to snow, rain, or sleet. Reducing your vehicle’s speed will allow you more time to react to hazardous winter driving conditions.
2. Allow for greater stopping distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This second tip is related to the first. If you do not maintain enough space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you, you will not have enough time to stop safely if road conditions are poor (e.g., wet, snowy, or covered in black ice). Following too closely is the number one cause of collisions in Edmonton. Rear-end collisions lead to soft-tissue injuries – sprains and strains to muscles, tendons and ligaments such as whiplash. Edmonton lawyers at our firm recommend leaving at least two to three times more space between vehicles to reduce the risk of winter rear-end collisions.
3. Make sure that your vehicle is properly maintained and cleared of snow and ice. A well-maintained, winterized vehicle will perform better in colder, slippery conditions. Have your vehicle’s battery, belts, hoses, brakes, and fluid levels inspected before winter sets in. Install winter tires for better traction in colder temperatures and poor road conditions. Reduce the risk of a car accident by ensuring your wiper blades and window defrosters are working well, and always take the time to clear your vehicle of snow and ice before driving – that includes the windows, mirrors, lights, roof, and hood.
4. Be on the lookout for pedestrians and wildlife. Pedestrians can be more difficult to spot in winter due to less daylight and the obstructions caused by windrows (those are the piles of snow on the sides of the road created by snowploughs and shovelling). Children in particular may be less visible when the snow is piled up high, and kids are often caught up in the excitement of playing in the snow, not paying attention to vehicle traffic. Be on the lookout and ready to brake. If you are driving in rural areas or the outskirts of Edmonton, you will also need to be on the lookout for wildlife such as moose, deer, or foxes attempting to cross the highway. Collisions with wildlife are extremely dangerous and result in almost half of the fatal motor vehicle accidents in Alberta.
5. Don’t be a distracted driver. This is an essential safe driving tip, regardless of the season. Our Edmonton accident injury lawyers previously discussed the consequences of distracted driving. Distracted driving includes programming a GPS or using a hand-held mobile device such as a phone to talk, text, or e-mail while driving. Check weather conditions and plan your route before you begin driving so that you can focus your attention on the road. Leave your cell phone alone while operating a vehicle.
IS THERE AN EDMONTON ACCIDENT INJURY LAWYER WHO CAN HELP ME?
Mr. McCourt and the team of experienced Edmonton personal injury lawyers at McCourt Law Offices believe that you deserve fair compensation for your injuries, and we pledge to fight for your right to full compensation. We represent clients with all types of motor vehicle accident injuries, including fractures, concussions and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and soft tissue injuries such as whiplash. Edmonton lawyers at McCourt Law Offices are available to help you today. Call us at (780) 448-0011 or toll-free at 1-877-448-0011 to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our accident injury lawyers in Edmonton. There is no fee until you collect.