Driving in the snow is stressful for drivers in the Pacific Northwest because we don’t get very many snow events per year and the side roads are never plowed. Snow can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. There is a particular risk of single-vehicle accidents when cars spin out on slippery roads. Rear-end accidents are also common because of drivers who are following too closely and can’t brake in time on slippery snow and ice.
How Many Car Accidents are Caused by Snow?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, just over 21 percent of the nearly 5.9 million car accidents that happen in the U.S. each year are weather-related. Of those, over half a million accidents and 2,000 fatalities per year are caused by snow, ice, sleet, or slushy pavement.
If you or a loved one is injured in a crash that involves snowy road conditions, you may be wondering if you are able to collect a car accident settlement for your losses and injuries. A car accident lawyer can review your case and discuss your legal rights.
Does Car Insurance Cover Snow Accidents?
Car insurance typically covers accidents caused by snow or other weather-related conditions, but the specific coverage can vary depending on the type of insurance and policy details.
Comprehensive coverage is the part of auto insurance that generally covers damage to your car caused by non-collision events, such as a falling icicle that breaks your windshield or dents your hood.
When an accident between two vehicles happens as a result of slippery roads, the at-fault driver’s liability coverage will pay for damages and injuries up to the policy’s limits. Damage to the vehicle may be covered by comprehensive or collision coverage.
It’s crucial to review your insurance policy and contact your insurance provider to understand the specifics of your coverage. Some policies may have deductibles or limitations, and coverage can differ based on your location and the circumstances of the accident. If you have questions about your coverage, it’s best to discuss them directly with your insurance company.
How to Drive Safely in the Snow
Here are 11 tips to reduce your risk of getting into a car accident in snow:
- Avoid stopping unless necessary
- Slow down and leave extra space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you
- Avoid over-correcting your steering wheel
- Don’t try to power up hills
- Avoid distracted or aggressive driving
- Look far ahead to what’s going on with the vehicles ahead of you
- Pay attention to flashing warning lights like a picture of a car and squiggly lines behind it (indicates your tires are slipping)
- Look in the direction you want your car to go if your car starts skidding
- If you start skidding stay calm, don’t slam on the brakes, and gently ease off the gas
- If you cannot control the skid, use your anti-lock brake system (ABS) if you have one
- Invest in snow tires
Contact a car accident lawyer today!
A car accident lawyer can help you recover a full and fair settlement for the injuries you sustained in a car accident with no up-front costs to you. We know the sneaky strategies used by insurance companies to get injured people to agree to settlements far below what they are worth. Our clients typically end up with a settlement or jury award that is five to ten times larger than they could have negotiated on their own. We have been representing people injured in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. Contact the experienced and hard-working personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Mount Vernon, WA today for a FREE consultation!
