A recent accident serves as a reminder to drivers to watch out for winter weather while they are out on the road. A car went down a steep, two hundred yard embankment towards the Mississippi River. The accident went unnoticed for a few hours until someone spotted the wreck from the opposite side of the river. A dramatic rescue involving an airboat brought the injured driver, who was trying to crawl up the embankment, to safety.
While it is unclear whether the weather was a factor in this particular accident, drivers need to know that cold weather increases the risk of wintry road conditions, and it also increases the risk of additional injuries to accident victims from exposure to the cold after an accident occurs. Cold weather is enough to cause injuries like frostbite, but winter storms can cause even more damage as snow and ice make roads slippery and difficult to navigate.
Most drivers in Mississippi and elsewhere know how to drive safely when winter weather hits. However, research has shown that knowing better does not always translate into doing better. This means that other drivers, in addition to ice and snow, are something to watch out for when you drive in the winter. Of course, it is not possible to control the weather, nor is it possible to control what other drivers do. It is possible to decrease your accident risk, though, by implementing safe driving strategies.
Winter driving can be made safer in many ways. In fact, safety can begin before you even get in the car. If it is snowing or icy outside, consider carefully where you are going and whether it is an essential trip or not. Sometimes, choosing not to drive when you have that option available is the safest thing that you can do, especially in severe storms. If you need to travel, checking a weather forecast or traffic website at home before you head out can help you know what kinds of road conditions you might expect and when, and this type of mental preparedness can lead to improved decision-making at the moment if you know what to expect. If you must drive during wintry weather, you can still decrease your accident risk by keeping your speed down, avoiding sudden braking, not using cruise control, and avoiding rapid acceleration. Be sure to clean your car off completely before you head out, and do not forget to wear your seatbelt. Also, be sure to insist that everyone else in your vehicle wear their seatbelt, too. With some preparedness ahead of time and a safety-conscious attitude during your drive, you can increase the chance that you will arrive at your destination safely.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Mississippi Accident Victims and Their Families
If you got hurt or someone that you love lost their life in a Mississippi car accident, a seasoned Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney could help you pursue a claim for the injuries, damages, or loss that you have experienced as a result of the crash. To find out more about how we could help you with your automobile accident case, please call the Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC at 1 (800) 707-9577 to set up an initial consultation.