Wisconsin winters are infamous for their unpredictability, making winter driving dangerous for Wisconsin drivers. With poor weather conditions, such as snow and ice, drivers are more likely to get into an accident. Car accidents in normal conditions are dangerous, but in the winter, car accidents can be even more deadly. However, there are ways to stay safe this winter. Even if you do get into an accident, you can make sure you are prepared to make your recovery as seamless as possible. Below are three things to consider if you are in a winter driving accident.
1. Prepare for Poor Weather Conditions
Making sure you are prepared for driving in poor weather conditions is imperative to staying safe on the road. One of the best things you can do is to have supplies in case you get stranded or in an accident in the winter. The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation has a list of what you should put in your winter driving emergency kit:
- Blankets and/or sleeping bags
- Extra stocking caps, warm socks, gloves/mittens
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Booster cables and windshield brush/scraper
- Drinking water and high-calorie, non-perishable food (trail mix, energy/protein bars)
Sand or cat litter for traction - Cell phone adapter/charger
Besides having an emergency kit, you should also make sure your car is okay to drive in poor weather conditions. Make sure you have at least half a tank of gas before driving in poor conditions. You should also check that your tires, battery, anti-freeze and cooling system and windshield wipers are in good condition.
Before you start driving, make sure you clear off the snow and ice from your car. Not only should your front and rear windshields be clear but your front and rear lights, roof and hood should also be cleared off.
If you get into an accident, the best thing you can do is stay calm, call 911 and wait for medical attention and the police to arrive.
2. Document What Happened
Having clear documentation of how the accident occurred will help you later down the line. If you are able to, take pictures of the accident and the damages to have concrete evidence of the accident. Also, take pictures of any poor conditions due to the weather, such as a big section of ice on the road or a sign covered with snow, to have further evidence of what conditions led to the accident.
Determining who or what was at fault for the accident can be challenging, especially in winter driving conditions. Therefore, having clear documentation will only help your situation.
3. Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney for your accident is imperative. In order to get the compensation you deserve, you need an attorney who will fight for you and your rights. As stated earlier, proving who or what was at fault for the accident can be challenging, especially during poor winter driving conditions. Having an attorney who understands Wisconsin law and how to handle insurance companies will help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Contact Personal Injury Attorney Phil Dahlberg for Winter Driving Accidents
Personal injury attorney Phil Dahlberg is here to help you recover from your winter driving accident. Phil uses his experience and training to determine the best strategy to maximize your recovery and to maximize what you get in your pocket, whether it’s by settling in the claims stage or even occasionally taking the case to trial. By hiring Phil, you can be confident that your case is in good hands. Contact Phil today to set up a consultation and begin your resolution.
