photo courtesy of the WSP
Weather Related Car Accidents
City and road officials are reporting dozens of car accidents caused by icy roadways and fog this morning in multiple locations around the Puget Sound. The hardest-hit areas appear to be along Interstate 5, near Ferndale, and along Interstate 90 in North Bend.
There were lengthy backups and stalled traffic because of several collisions that had vehicles launching off the roadways. State troopers say that most of the crashes were because motorists were driving too fast for the slick conditions. In some of these areas, all lanes of the interstate were closed because authorities were on the scene of a 10-12 car pile-up. One driver sustained a possible spinal injury in a series of crashes of a massive pileup near North Bend. All the vehicles left the roadway in the same location, striking one another and several trees.
Washington State Department of Transportation is cautioning all drivers to slow down and remember that bridges and overpasses are even colder and more hazardous to drive over. View the original news source on icy road car accidents here.
Ice–The Great Equalizer
Ice is nature’s vice for every driver, regardless of skill and experience. The state patrol is reporting numerous car accidents across the northern counties of western Washington.
Here are a few things to help avoid a car accident when driving on ice:
- EVERYONE is at risk on icy roads. Anyone who drives a vehicles where snow and ice occur, even just once a year, is at risk for driving on icy roads.
- No vehicle is immune. All vehicle types can lose control on icy roads, including SUVs, 4x4s, AWDs and trucks.
- Winter equipment doesn’t make highway speeds safe. Winter tires, ESC and antilock brakes won’t prevent accidents if you are going too fast for the conditions.
- Take it slow! It’s never safe to go highway speeds on even patchy ice/show.
- Bridges are the first places to become icy.
- Watch weather conditions in the winter months. Any precipitation when temperatures are near or below freezing means watch out!
- Icy road accidents happen in multiples. Don’t get out of your vehicle and stand/walk on an icy road.
- Consider postponing your trip or errand. The best way to stay safe is to not drive on icy roads at all, if possible—especially during freezing rain.
- http://icyroadsafety.com/end.shtml
Be Informed of the Weather Ahead of the Drive
Many of those that were sitting in their cars during freezing conditions probably wished they had planned ahead for road closures and hours of waiting. Those wondering how to extricate themselves from a tangle of damaged cars were probably also wishing the same thing. Icy roads spare no convenience or personal agendas. Personal safety can never have a price attached to it. Plan ahead and check the weather forecast before hitting the road, especially if your trip takes you over bridges, mountain passes, or winding roads. If your commitments leave you undeterred, be cautious and lower your speed. Extra time is a small price to pay for safely arriving at your destination.
Here are a couple of great places to check driving conditions for Washington state: http://www.wsdot.com/Traffic/trafficalerts/default.aspx
and for Idaho: https://hb.511.idaho.gov/#roadReports?timeFrame=TODAY&layers=roadReports%2CwinterDriving%2CweatherWarnings%2CotherStates.
Our Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help
We all drive through life, and sometimes even when the weather becomes an icy blur. With a little preparation and information ahead of time, we can still get where we need to go. Share these tips and checklists with others, to ensure a calmer and safer commute this winter season.
If you or someone you know has been injured or hurt in a winter driving accident, contact Fielding Law Group today, for a free legal consultation. When it can be shown that another motorist acted negligently, violated a traffic law, or failed in any way to drive safely, we can help you recover and receive the compensation you deserve. Remember–Don’t let an accident wreck YOU!
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