February 8, 2023
From heavy snow to slippery black ice, winter weather can create dangerous conditions on the road. When drivers need to travel in wintery weather conditions, they must take extra precautions to say safe. Otherwise, winter weather accidents can place drivers at risk of serious injury.
A recent news article shows the dangers of winter weather on the road. After a winter storm. New Hampshire police reported over 90 car accidents throughout the state on a single day. Several crashes were serious highway accidents. The first crash occurred on I-93 north when a vehicle rolled over, injuring the driver. A few hours later, police responded to another crash in Warner. On I-89 south, a fully-loaded commercial carrier veered off the road and slid into the snow. The accident occurred when one of the vehicles on the carrier became dislodged and rolled off the carrier. The dislodged vehicle landed in the right lane of the highway. The carrier operator was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.
Then, in the afternoon, another severe crash happened in the same location. A tractor-trailer driver was passing the road closure caused by the earlier commercial carrier accident. As the driver passed the road closure, he lost control of his tractor-trailer, which spun out. The tractor-trailer then hit a parked heavy-duty wrecker and flatbed tow truck, which were clearing the road after the previous accident. Police cited the driver for traveling too fast, given the severe winter weather conditions.
Unfortunately, Massachusetts was no different. As the winter storm raged on, at least three people died from separate car accidents. In the first crash, the deceased was traveling southbound when he veered into the opposite lane, striking an SUV traveling in the other direction. A few hours later, another driver died after losing control of his vehicle, traveling on the wrong side of the road, and colliding head-on with another vehicle. The next morning, a van fatally struck a pedestrian and then fled the scene.
How Can You Stay Safe in New Hampshire Winter Weather?During a winter storm, drivers should take several precautions to stay safe on the road. As always, the most important step drivers can take is staying focused. In winter weather conditions, paying attention to the road is even more important. In particular, there may be additional hazards on the road to look out for, such as icy patches of road. To stay safe in a winter storm, it is all the more important to avoid distracted driving. Second, refrain from speeding. Drivers who speed during winter weather may lose control of their vehicles and veer off the road. Additionally, even traveling at the speed limit may present serious hazards. For example, if the road is slippery with black ice, it is critical to slow down until you reach the end of the slippery patch. Otherwise, you may lose control of your vehicle, even if you were not traveling above the posted speed limit. Finally, drivers may need to suddenly stop or slow down before approaching an icy or snowy patch of the road. As a result, other drivers must maintain a safe following distance. If a winter storm is severe, even a normally safe following distance may be insufficient to prevent an accident. Err on the safe side and leave ample space between your vehicle and those in front of you.
Have You Been Hurt in a New Hampshire Winter Weather Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Hampshire car accident, contact the attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates to discuss your case. Our personal injury attorneys possess years of experience representing clients in car, truck, pedestrian, and other road accidents. Through our skilled representation, we will work tirelessly to fight for the compensation you need and deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our office at 800-804-2004.