Kansas City is in Missouri, not Minnesota. We don’t get nearly as much snow and ice in the wintertime. Still, it does snow enough to accumulate on the roads sometimes, as it did in December. When it does, car accidents inevitably spike as drivers fail to respect the changed road conditions or adjust accordingly.
Responsible motorists know that taking reasonable precautions during bad weather can reduce the risk of serious injury. As a refresher, here are three tips for driving safely on icy streets and highways.
- Increase your following distance. In normal conditions, you should be able to count three seconds from the vehicle in front of you passing a light pole or other object until you reach it. When the roads are covered in ice and snow, you need more space to brake in case you slip or spin out. Make it six to seven seconds of following distance instead.
- Slow down as much as possible on off-ramps without slamming on the brakes.
- Also be careful to slow down more than usual when preparing to turn.
Unfortunately, people not used to driving in wintery conditions or convinced it’s “not a big deal” won’t take measures like these. While icy roads could be the ultimate cause of a serious car accident, if one driver was acting recklessly by driving too fast or otherwise ignoring road conditions, they can be held liable for other people’s injuries. Common damages in motor vehicle accident claims include lost wages, the cost of medical care, repairs to your vehicle, and the pain and suffering you have experienced since the wreck.