What Are the Common Causes of Winter Accidents?
Winter brings the kind of weather that, all too often, leads to an uptick in dangerous accidents, like traffic crashes of all kinds and slip and fall accidents. Winter weather requires taking more care in terms of driving and maintaining commercial properties, and when motorists or property owners fail to do so, injury-causing accidents become that much more common. If you’re injured as a result of someone else’s negligence this winter, an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney is standing by to help.
Winter Driving
Winter weather is as dangerous as it is unpredictable, and even a small amount of precipitation can lead to slippery roadways and the need for increased care behind the wheel. The kinds of effects that tend to make winter driving so dangerous include:
- Low visibility on the road
- Wet roads
- Icy roads
- Snow blown roads
- Ice-packed or snow-packed roads
- High winds
Common causes of winter driving accidents include several basic forms of driver negligence.
Excess Speed
As winter weather picks up, drivers must adjust their speed safely downward. The greater the effect the weather has on the road, the greater the reduction in speed needs to be to continue driving safely.
Distraction
To drive safely in winter weather, motorists must focus their complete attention on the road ahead. Motorists who refuse to put away their phones or engage in other dangerous distractions increase the risk factor considerably.
Impairment
Drunk drivers are some of the deadliest drivers out there. And when you combine drunk drivers with dangerous winter driving conditions, the level of danger involved skyrockets.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Commercial property owners and managers are responsible for keeping their properties maintained to a degree that allows safe passage for their customers, clients, visitors, and other guests. Doing so can be more challenging in the winter months, and when these owners and managers fail to take the following into careful consideration, the rate of slip and fall accidents can spike:
- Keeping outside walkways and parking areas cleared of ice, snow, and related debris
- Ensuring that wet winter weather isn’t tracked inside where it can turn entrances and indoor walkways dangerously slick
- Keeping outdoor staircases well-maintained and clear of winter weather’s dangerous effects
- Having sufficient outdoor lighting to safely light the way in winter’s darkness.
Reach Out to an Experienced New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney for the Help You Need Today
If you or someone you care about has been injured by someone else’s negligence in relation to winter conditions – whether in a traffic or slip and fall accident – you can face significant physical, financial, and emotional losses as a result. The dedicated New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Leonard Legal Group handle personal injury cases throughout New Jersey with offices located in Morristown and Franklin Lakes. We recognize how difficult your situation is and are committed to skillfully advocating for a claim resolution that supports your legal rights and your most complete recovery.
Your claim is important, so please don’t wait to contact or call us at 973-984-1414 for more information today.