Driving Safe During the Winter Months
Driving during winter can be challenging, even if one is an experienced driver. Most people forget that snow and ice on the road demand one to drive carefully to avoid any accidents. As advised by Engle Kauffman & VanHorn, your car also needs to be well-prepped for the cold season and unpleasant roads. To guide you, here are a few things to keep in mind while driving during the winter months.
Prep Your Car for Winter Driving
Even issues you consider minor can be a safety concern during winter. Take your car for servicing, with the mechanic to check the battery, windshield wiper, tire tread, and other things. A personal injury State College attorney can inform you that car preparation plays a big part in enhancing safety on the road. If any issues are identified, they will be fixed early. Also, check your car fluids earlier. Anti-freeze liquid will protect your engine from damage caused by a frozen engine block.
Pack The Essentials
Despite the length of the journey, do not solely depend on the car’s heating system alone. That means packing warm clothes, a snack, and a flask of hot tea, water, or coffee. Ensure your phone is fully charged. Anything can happen on the road, and you may need to contact family members or State College Personal Injury Lawyers. Some essentials to have include a flashlight, spade, jumper cables, de-icer, wellies, warning devices, and an ice-scraper.
Adapting to the Cold Weather
Most drivers will tell you that the biggest challenge of driving during winter is the icy roads and snow. During winter, you will have to watch your speed because the weather is not as accommodating. Most personal injury State College Pennsylvania attorneys recommend leaving early to get where you are going on time. Also, ensure that the gap between you and the car in front is large enough, which allows you time to brake gently and not hit the vehicle in front.
Practice Cold Weather Driving
It is advisable to practice winter driving to gauge your capabilities and that of your car. During the day, go to an empty parking lot and try a few maneuvers, including reversing on the snow or ice. Steer to a skid and get to know how your brakes will react. State College Personal Injury Attorneys recommend this method since it will give you an idea of what your car needs and if you are ready to drive during the cold season. Also, a little practice allows you to know how you will react in certain situations.
Protect Yourself and Your Passengers
When driving, you need to protect yourself and your passengers. Ensure everyone has their safety belts on. If there is a child in the car, they should be in the back seat. If there is a collision accident, the chances of the child being injured are low. Also, as recommended by a State College Personal Injury Lawyer, any child under 12 is safer at the back.
How Can an Attorney Help?
If you have been involved in a car accident and injured during winter, contact a personal injury law firm State College Pennsylvania for assistance. They will analyze your situation and ensure you get compensation for the injuries. Most of the time, the insurance company and an attorney from the other side will approach you with an offer, ready to settle as quickly as possible. Usually, the amount offered is less than what you deserve. At the same time, you are injured and not in the right headspace to make decisions. So why not get a personal injury State College Pennsylvania attorney to represent you.
If you have been involved in a car accident and have been injured, do not hesitate to get a lawyer. Reach out to englelegal.com and get represented by our skilled attorneys.