Attorney
As brutal winter weather continues to haunt the east coast, you need to make sure that you play it safe if you are commuting. Remember, ice, snow and sleet can pose dangers to drivers. In fact, over Valentine’s Day weekend this year, hundreds of people were involved in weather-related accidents in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
In one major accident, volunteer Montgomery County emergency medical services personnel were injured off I-495. According to NBC Washington, the EMS officials were responding to another accident when a truck on the side of the roadway struck them. Their emergency lights were reportedly blinking when the accident occurred, as the driver of another vehicle allegedly lost control of his truck, sliding across several lanes before striking both of the volunteers.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing and charges are pending. As this shows, driving recklessly in poor conditions can have disastrous consequences.
With this in mind, if the weather is poor and the roadway is icy, we suggest doing everything you can to avoid driving. If this means staying at home for work or not going out to an event, it may be in your best interest. However, if you are forced into driving in poor weather, here are some tips:
- Make sure your tire tread is sufficient and free of ice
- Keep your hands on your steering wheel at all times, and avoid distractions like cell phones and electronic devices
- Wear a seatbelt
- Avoid tailgating
- Stay on heavily trafficked roadways and try to avoid rural areas, which may have more snow cover
- Avoid slamming on your brakes
Pursuing a Lawsuit Following a Vehicle Accident
Remember, even if the weather is bad, if you are involved in a vehicle accident and you are at fault, you can be held liable. Again, your best option may be to avoid driving if dangerous weather conditions persist.
That said, if another driver has hurt you in a vehicle accident, it might be a good idea to speak to an attorney so that you can pursue damages. This money could potentially help you pay for medical care and items like lost income. For more information about transportation accidents, including statistics and safety tips, you can visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys