Snow, Ice and Driving

It seems to be the topic on everyone’s mind this year:  Snow.  The storms keep coming, and weeks of record-breaking low temperatures aren’t helping.  In the last month, Maryland has seen not one, but two polar vortexes!  Weathermen are cautioning Marylanders to watch out for frostbite and the annual Polar Bear Plunge was cancelled because it was too cold!  Worse yet, local businesses and schools are becoming less likely to grant snow days and demanding that YOU go driving in the snow and ice to get to work.  It’s an unfortunate situation when people have to choose between earning a paycheck and their own safety.

Driving in the snow and ice can be intimidating for some.  For others, it is a danger that shouldn’t be underestimated.  Here are a few things to remember when driving in the snow and ice:

• Obey the speed limit.  If you need to, don’t be afraid to drive below the speed limit.
• Allow for extra stopping distance.  Try to keep at least six car lengths between you and the next vehicle.
• Watch out for black ice.  If you find yourself sliding on ice, take your foot off of the gas, but try to avoid braking.  Braking may actually cause you to lose more control of your car.
• Keep a snow emergency kit in your trunk.  A bag of ice/sand, a shovel, an ice scraper, a blanket, and a flashlight are all good things to keep in your trunk during the winter.

Ultimately, you may be the safest driver in the world when it comes to snow and ice, but don’t count on other drivers following these simple guidelines.  Even if someone loses control of their vehicle as a result of winter conditions, the law can still hold them accountable.  And if that accident, causes you injury, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you will pay for your medical bills or how you will make ends meet if you have to take time off from work.  Contact a personal injury attorney immediately so that you can learn more about protecting your rights in these difficult times.

When you have been hurt in a car accident, it can help to have a personal injury attorney on your side. There might be a great deal of paperwork to complete, or you might need to fight with someone else’s insurance company to get the compensation you are entitled to. All of this takes effort, and you’ve been injured. It makes more sense to hire a knowledgeable attorney to take care of these issues — and to fight for you — while you concentrate on getting better.

The personal injury attorneys at Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP have over 100 years of collective experience fighting for the rights of injury victims.  Contact one of Ingerman & Horwitz’s attorneys today to work for your best interests, grant you peace of mind while you recover, and help you recover financially.