Driving during the winter season until early spring can pose a number of hazards for people on the roads. Though you may consider yourself a good driver, a sudden change in weather conditions, or already existing conditions, could easily put even the best driver to the test. Getting to your destination safely is undoubtedly your goal and a shared goal of others who are traveling the roadways.
Unfortunately, a substantial number of accidents take place every year due to weather-related conditions, especially those related to winter weather. Because of the greater risk, you certainly want to make sure that you take precautions while on the road and watch out for other drivers who may not accommodate the conditions.
Accident statistics
As mentioned, numerous accidents take place due to weather conditions. In fact, according to statistics covering a 10-year period, approximately 21 percent of accidents each year take place due to hazardous weather. That percentage equals approximately 1.2 million accidents. Additionally, those accidents result in the deaths of nearly 5,400 people each year, which is notably more than deaths resulting from natural disasters like tornadoes or hurricanes.
Biggest hazards
While ice and snow may be the first weather-related hazards that come to your mind, other weather conditions could also contribute to accidents during this time of year, such as:
- Fog
- Sleet
- Rain
- Slushy pavement
- Wet pavement
Rain and wet pavement garnered the top two spots for weather-related contributors to car accidents, which makes sense because rain is a year-round issue.
Another serious issue that becomes a major hazard for drivers is the reduction of visibility. You may see fine one moment as a light snow falls, but suddenly, an increase in snowfall could substantially reduce your visibility. This type of situation could also occur with heavy rain or dense fog.
After an accident
Though your goal is to reach your destination safely, that may not always happen. Another driver could crash into your vehicle when weather conditions are harsh, and you could suffer major injuries. If you do become one of the 418,000 people injured in weather-related accidents annually, you may have reason to seek compensation for resulting damages by filing a personal injury claim against the driver considered at fault.
The Wisconsin roadways can certainly be difficult to navigate this time of year, and following the path toward compensation may seem just as intimidating. Fortunately, you can enlist the help of an attorney who can help you along the way.
