The Impact of Inclement Weather on Car Accident Claims in the Lone Star State
Winter is upon us, and while snow is less common in North Texas than the rest of the state, other factors can combine to make motor vehicle traffic more treacherous here. Statistics routinely show December and January as the two worst months of the year for drivers. How do winter road conditions in North Texas affect motor vehicle safety? What potential impact does winter weather have on car, truck, and motorcycle wrecks?
Weather to Expect in North Texas in the Winter
Though North Texas occasionally gets snow, it generally doesn’t see the volume of snow that other parts of Texas do. However, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to hover at or slightly below freezing, often leading to sleet or freezing rain.
How Does the Winter Weather in North Texas Increase the Likelihood of a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Changing temperatures and other weather conditions in North Texas can increase the risk of winter motor vehicle accidents in a number of ways:
- Sleet, ice, and freezing rain lead to significantly reduced friction or traction, which can have a number of consequences:
- Difficulty bringing a vehicle to a complete stop, causing a motorist to rear-end another car or slide through a stop sign or red light into the path of another vehicle
- Loss of control of a vehicle when making a turn or changing lanes
- Less control of a vehicle in high winds or at higher speeds
- Greater likelihood of sliding, skidding, or hydroplaning
- Rain, snow, sleet, and fog can dramatically reduce visibility.
- Snow, freezing rain, or sleet can build up on windshields fairly rapidly, making it difficult or even impossible to see other traffic.
While any stretch of road can be potentially dangerous, intersections and bridges are particularly problematic, as those are the places where black ice tends to develop. This condition, where nearly invisible layers of water freeze on pavement or asphalt, is a common cause of winter accidents in North Texas.
What Can You Do to Minimize the Risk of a Car Wreck in North Texas in the Winter?
While you can’t fully protect yourself from the risk of a winter weather accident in North Texas, there are measures you can take to reduce the danger:
- Stay current on vehicle maintenance—Make certain your tires have good tread and are properly inflated; that your brakes are in good working order; and that windshield wipers, heaters, and defrosting units are fully functional. Don’t use water to clean your windows in the winter; use a fluid with a lower freezing temperature.
- Drive defensively but reasonably—Reducing your speed is generally a good strategy in the winter, but don’t drive at a crawl. That can create hazards for other drivers.
- Prepare your vehicle before you get on the road—Scrape any snow or ice off the windshield, and let the car run until your heater has defrosted all the windows.
Contact the Proven Car Accident Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we have effectively represented personal injury victims in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and across the state of Texas for more than four decades, including people hurt in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. In our years in practice, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in judgments and settlements for personal injury victims. We are proven trial attorneys who will be a strong voice for you in all proceedings. Contact us by e-mail or call our offices to set up an appointment. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
