January is on its way, and with it comes the possibility of snow, ice, slippery roads, and truck accidents. Winter driving in Mississippi is challenging, and icy road conditions increase your risk of being involved in a wreck with a truck. Last January, a snowstorm created slick road conditions on I-55 in Tate County. During the storm, a tractor-trailer jack-knifed, requiring the Mississippi Highway Patrol to shut the northbound side of the road down for half an hour to clear the crash scene. Fortunately, the driver of the tractor-trailer was not hurt in the wreck. Travelers had been encountering difficulty in navigating the slippery roads throughout the state even before the accident, with icy travel conditions reported throughout the region.
In addition to the ice, snow, and water on the road this winter, look out for other drivers, as their behavior could cause an accident. This is especially critical if you’re traveling in heavy traffic, where there are vehicles all around you. Even those vehicles that are driven by professionals, such as tractor-trailers, can slip and slide on icy, snowy, or wet roads, creating a danger that they will be involved in a crash and possibly ensnare other vehicles in the wreckage.
Each type of vehicle has a unique set of vulnerabilities in the winter. For example, the large size of tractor-trailers can cause them to have limited visibility, especially in their blind spots. All vehicles can encounter difficulties with traction and braking when roads are wet, icy, or snowy. Another factor that affects winter accident risk is driver experience. Not all drivers have the same amount of experience with winter driving conditions, and experience can bring with it the much-needed skills that help drivers avoid accidents on slippery roads.
The following tips can help you navigate winter driving conditions more successfully, reducing the risk that you will get into an accident with a truck or some other vehicle. The best way to cut down your accident risk is to slow down when roads are wet and snowy. Reducing your speed can help you avoid sudden braking, which can lead to slipping and sliding on wet or icy roads. Check the forecast, so you can anticipate what the road conditions are likely to be when you head out, and when you plan to return. As difficult as it can be to make changes to our plans when you discover a forecast that will make travel dangerous, it is better to postpone or cancel a trip somewhere than to drive when there is a heightened risk of an accident. Use your seatbelt every time you drive and ask others traveling with you to do the same. If there’s any snow or ice on your vehicle, clear it off before you drive.
Truck accidents can happen at any time during the winter, just as at any other time of year. If you’re involved in a truck wreck this winter, call for help immediately. After you have received any necessary medical care, contact a Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorney. You might be able to pursue a claim for damages in connection with your crash. Learn more about your options following a Mississippi road rage truck crash by calling the knowledgeable Mississippi Trucking Accident Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC, at 1 (601) 790-1505 today.
