Injury Lawyer = Winter Snow?
To ensure that you arrive at your destination safely, consider following these winter driving safety tips:
- “Know before you go” by checking road conditions before you travel. You can do this by checking the weather and traffic reports on the radio, TV and Internet, specifically looking at local radar and local forecasts, while also checking the internet for road authorities, such as the Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Maine State Police. You can also call the Maine State police for traffic updates. See: http://www.511maine.gov/; http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/me.htm; http://www.maineturnpike.com/Traveler-Services/Maine-Turnpike-Authority-Traffic-Management-Center.aspx; http://maine-webcams.com/; http://www.wftv.com/videos/weather/maine-state-police-update-road-conditions/vqHNx/
- Turn on your auto headlights to increase your visibility, and also fully brush the snow and scrape the ice off your headlights, taillights and all windows.
- Slow down and drive according to the conditions… This may mean driving significantly slower than the posted speed limit, or even the cautionary blinking speed limit signs.
- Never drive through “white-outs” or “snow fog” caused by heavy snow, wind or when trucks are plowing snow that is blowing densely. If you can’t see, not only can no one see you, but you could easily go off the road or hit something in the road.
- Don’t assume that sanded and/or salted roads will provide good traction and safe travel. While these items can assist, they can also sink below the snow and ice surface, leaving a slick surface.
- Allow more time to get to your destination. While you may be traveling slower, be sure to exercise caution when stopping or turning your car, as it is easy to slide and lose control or have a collision. Patience is the key.
- Never use cruise control on wet, snowy or icy roadways. Doing so creates the opportunity for you to lose control of your vehicle if you begin sliding.
- Use your brakes with caution on icy, wet, snowy or slippery roadways. Breaking too hard could cause you to lose control of the vehicle, and if the vehicles in front, beside or behind you don’t have adequate room around them, and they may have to take evasive procedures. While breaking seems like the right thing to do sometimes, it can have the exact opposite effect. If it is slippery, ad space between you and the other vehicles, and consider letting off the gas when you need to slow down.
- Be extremely cautious when passing a snowplow, as they may move sideways without notice and they could unexpectedly create a white-out or throw sand and stones into your windshield.
- While it may seem obvious, one of the best things that you can do to improve control of your car or truck is to have good tires. That means four good tires, and depending on your vehicle and the suggestions of the tire stores, it may require all season radials or even winter tires with better traction…or maybe studded tires. Check the wear of your tire treads to be sure that your tires are definitely safe for the upcoming winter driving.
The moral to this: Take precautions to avoid car accidents. Consider driving only when necessary on days when the roads present hazards. Steer clear of negligent drivers who may be on their phone, texting while driving, swerving or otherwise not paying attention to their driving. Auto accidents claim lives every day. Don’t let it be you
Negligent drivers cause accidents, personal injuries and death…and they get sued by a plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer, one who is specifically and accident lawyer. Too many people choose to drive when road conditions are bad, drink and drive, speed, allow themselves to be distracted while driving, and/or are simply careless on the road. If you or a loved one fall victim to a car accident caused by someone’s negligence, then it is imperative that you contact a Maine injury lawyer. You must act quickly because there is a statute of limitations that restricts the time within which you can take legal action. You should rely upon an experienced Maine accident attorney to assist you in gaining legal compensation for injuries and damages that you have suffered.
Contact Marchese Injury Law, P.A. Our injury lawyers can help you. We can help open a claim with the insurance companies, assist with the car damage claims and getting your medical bills paid, while also getting you the compensation that you deserve. Call us toll free nationwide at 207-775-6042. Our office is in Portland, Maine, and we have convenient parking in the garage attached to our office building. We could also meet wherever it is convenient for you. We offer free consultations, and as always, there are no fees unless you win your case.
