Staying safe on winter roads can be a challenge for anyone, no matter how much experience you might have driving in Minnesota. Just like any other time of the year, car accidents can result in devastating injuries or even worse. What should be the best time of the year instead becomes a nightmare, not only for the victims but their family members as well.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, get in touch with a Sand Law attorney as soon as you can. The faster you speak with us, the earlier we can get to work in an effort to help you obtain maximum compensation. We’ll offer expert representation and give you the best chance of getting the money you’ll need to pay for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
Schedule a free case evaluation by giving us a call at 651-291-7263 or contacting us online.
Christmas and Other December Holidays Cause an Uptick in Drivers on the Road
While December is a time for festivities and giving, it’s also an incredibly busy time. People are rushing around trying to find the best gifts they can find, and they’re also traveling to see friends and family. All of this means there are more motorists on the road, of course. When you combine more vehicles with dangerous weather conditions, the results can be tragic.
Even if You Drive Safely, Accidents Still Happen
You might be one of the safest drivers you know. But if you assume that’s going to automatically mean you’re going to avoid an accident, that’s a serious mistake. You can control what you do, but you don’t have any control over how other motorists behave. There are many different kinds of car accidents that occur, and they can happen even to the best drivers. Stay alert – don’t ever be complacent. However, driving safe on winter roads can reduce the chance of an accident caused by your own negligence. Plus, by learning defensive winter driving, you may be able to avoid a dangerous driver.
Tips for Staying Safe on Winter Roads this Christmas
The last thing you’ll want to do is to ruin your own Christmas, as well as the holiday for the many people who love you. If you can keep the following in mind, that will greatly reduce the chances that you’ll wind up as another unfortunate statistic.
Avoid Driving on Christmas Day
If at all possible, stay at home or at a friend or family member’s home on Christmas Day. Most years, the weather is difficult to drive in, to say the least. There are also people on the roads who probably aren’t exactly feeling festive. They might be running late to someone’s house and be more willing to take risks as a result. Others might have had some sort of conflict at their holiday gathering, so they’re going to drive much more aggressively than normal.
There are still others who might have had a little too good of a time and over-indulged on alcohol.
The risks are just too great to try to be on the roads on Christmas Day. If there’s any way you can just stay put, that will be about the safest thing you can do.
Avoid Driving Late at Night
This is not only the case on Christmas. It should also be a rule of thumb throughout the holiday season. This is the time of year when people who don’t normally touch alcohol will imbibe – not having the slightest idea of just how drunk they are. If someone is drunk enough, they could easily become so disoriented that they go the wrong way on a highway or other road. The less you have to drive at night, the better off you’ll be.
Avoid Driving During a Storm
Trying to avoid driving in winter weather in Minnesota is something that’s far easier said than done, of course. We have places to go and things to do. If we let the weather determine when we got in our cars, we’d never get anything accomplished.
But at the same time, you never want to be out when there’s a bad storm coming. Pay attention to the weather, and try to arrange your driving schedule accordingly. If you have to leave a little early to get to your destination, or you have to wait a bit later before you get behind the wheel, that’s a lot better than the alternative.
Look Out for Black Ice
Black ice is arguably the most dangerous type of road condition in the winter because it’s always unexpected. You’re driving along and thinking the roads are in great shape when all of a sudden, you come upon a patch of ice you didn’t know was there.
Black ice really isn’t “black,” of course. It’s transparent. It gets its name from the black pavement on which it forms. Black ice occurs when a glaze forms after the melting and refreezing of ice, snow, and water. It doesn’t give any indication that it’s there – it doesn’t form bubbles, so it blends in with the road surface.
Most of the time, black ice develops early in the morning as well as in the evening. But this can happen at any time, so be on guard. Check for any signs of glossy sheets on the road surface, which is a sure sign you’re about to hit black ice. If you hit it, stay calm, take your foot off of the accelerator, and don’t overreact.
Stay off the Roads & Avoid a Christmas in the Emergency Room
If there is any way possible you can reduce the amount of time you need to spend behind the wheel this holiday season, do it. Shop online instead of going to the mall. Make meals at home instead of going out to restaurants. Remember, the most important part of the holidays is to spend time with the ones you love. The less you have to drive, the better the chances you’ll be able to do just that.
If You’re Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident Around Christmastime, Contact Sand Law
The attorneys with Sand Law hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe Christmas season. But if you’re in a wreck caused by another driver’s negligence, we’ll be here for you. Use our online contact form or call 651-291-7263 for a free consultation.