The Holidays are over, but we still have winter (and hot chocolate) for a little longer.
Winter conditions can mean anything from just cold and clear, or there is rain, snow, or ice involved. These conditions can lead to accidents like slip and falls, auto accidents, bike, and motorcycle accidents, as well as other hazards. Until spring arrives, it’s important to exercise caution when venturing out in winter weather, whether you’re making a short grocery run or a longer trip to visit family and friends.
Winter Weather Activity
In the last year, getting out has been more difficult with lockdowns and quarantines. But getting out for some fresh air and exercise is also important while observing social distancing and other requirements.
Ice is a particular danger during the winter months since it usually just looks like a puddle of water. Losing your footing on ice can mean anything from a twisted knee or back to broken bones, sprains, spinal cord injuries, and concussions. To help prevent injuries, we suggest:
- Wearing proper footwear for winter conditions such as snow and ice
- Walk slower with shorter steps to avoid slips
- Keep sand or a de-icer handy to use around your home when needed
- For outdoor chores and work, such as shoveling snow, take your time to avoid over-exertion and injury
- Keep your cell phone handy in case of injury
Even with the best precautions, auto accidents can still happen, and you could still find yourself with a musculoskeletal injury. If your fall or injuries are serious, you may need to get to the emergency room right away or call 911 if needed.
Winter Sports
You may also enjoy participating in activities such as:
- Sledding
- Skiing
- Hockey
- Ice Skating
- Snowboarding
But you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to find yourself with common injuries from these sports like:
- Dislocated or sprained joints (i.e., skier’s thumb, knee injuries)
- Broken bones
- Concussion
- Spinal injuries
Wear and use reliable protective equipment, such as:
- Helmet
- Goggles
- UV sunglasses
- Other body protection as needed
These can help prevent more serious injuries even if you do have an accident.
Winter Driving
It seems like when snow or other winter weather event is predicted, everyone decides they need to go out and drive. Of course, sometimes it’s necessary to get supplies or help out elderly relatives or friends. But if you can avoid going out into snowy or icy weather conditions, do so.
Should you find that you need to go out, avoid an accident and ensure your safety by:
- Prep your vehicle for winter by:
- Considering winter tires for better traction
- Check your tire pressure frequently and add air as needed, since tires can lose pressure during cold weather
- Check your battery. If it’s more than three or four years old, it’s probably time for a new one
- Replace your wiper blades
- Add an anti-freeze wiper fluid to your car
- Add anti-freeze to your engine
- Clear your vehicle of ice and snow before driving, including the roof, hood, and trunk
- Check weather and road conditions before venturing out
- Driver slower than the posted speed, and give yourself extra time to avoid the temptation of driving faster
- Avoid moving abruptly
- Avoid slamming on brakes
- Increase the distance between you and the car you’re following to allow for braking and emergencies
- Avoid any distractions
- Always use your turn signal
- Leave the cruise control OFF to keep control of the car
- Know how to recover from skidding—with antilock brakes, push the brake pedal firmly. If you do not have antilock, pump the brakes gently until you are able to recover. Should the vehicle begin to spin, turn into the direction of the spin until you regain control of the vehicle.
Of course, you can’t control the actions of others on the road. Should you find yourself in an accident due to the negligence of someone else, contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
Let The Love Law Firm Help With Your West Virginia Accident Case
Slipping and falling on icy surfaces can be a painful and expensive experience, especially if you require hospitalization. A car accident during icy conditions can be frightening as well as dangerous.
If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help you recover damages so you can heal and get on with your life. Call The Love Law Firm today at (304)-344-5683. We’re one of Charleston’s premier personal injury law firms and can work on a contingency fee basis to work on and settle your case.
