Article By Jared Matz, Managing Partner at Matz Injury Law
Living in Michigan in the winter means driving on snow and ice. There is no avoiding it. But understanding how to prepare for it and how to handle slippery roads can mean the difference between life and death.
Every year in Michigan,
there are about 25,000 traffic crashes due to ice or snow. Dozens of those end up being fatal. Over half of those crashes are single vehicle crashes. That’s over 12,000 crashes every year because someone lost control of their vehicle due to the conditions on the road.
Ice and show drastically reduce traction, leading to common errors like driving too fast for the conditions and poor stopping.
Ice creates an issue because it is difficult to stop quickly when it is present. This is especially the case for ice that can’t be easily seen. This means stopping distances are reduced, and skidding events are more prominent, leading to vehicles rear-ending other vehicles.
Oftentimes, icy road crashes are classified as at-fault collisions by law enforcement and car insurance companies because they believe sliding on ice is preventable, and in most situations it is.
Michigan is a no-fault insurance state,
which means you typically will turn to your own insurance to repair your damaged vehicle. However, you can also pursue additional claims against other responsible parties in certain circumstances.
All drivers owe the public a certain duty of care while they are operating a vehicle on a public road.
Duty of care refers to one party’s legal obligation to maintain safety for others by acting responsibly or refraining from acting in ways that could cause harm. All motorists are obligated to use reasonable care, follow traffic directives, and operate their vehicles safely. Just because the speed limit is 45 mph, this doesn’t mean it is safe to drive at that speed. Duty of care might require a slower speed due to the conditions of the road.
Here is a checklist of 7 things to think about before getting on a road covered in ice or snow:
- Prepare your vehicle: Check that all car parts are in working order, especially brakes and tires.
- Drive slowly: A car cannot stop instantly on wet or slippery surfaces. Driving more slowly gives you more control of your vehicle if you must stop unexpectedly.
- Steer into a skid if you lose control: If your vehicle begins to skid gently turn your steering wheel in the direction your rear wheels are sliding and take your foot off the gas.
- Increase your following distance: When you increase your following distance, it will substantially decrease the chances of getting into an accident.
- Do not power up hills: If a hill cannot be avoided, gain momentum before reaching it rather than accelerating on the incline.
- Do not accelerate if you get stuck: If you find yourself stuck, avoid accelerating your vehicle. Alternative options include keeping a bag of cat litter in your trunk or a long piece of cardboard to place beneath your tires for traction. Furthermore, store a small shovel in your car to move excess snow away from your tires.
If you find yourself the victim of a traffic crash, especially during a winter weather storm, pull to the side of the road and stay in your vehicle. Call emergency services for help. Staying in your vehicle is critical in freezing temperatures to protect you from the weather. Moreover, other drivers on Michigan roads could be swerving and strike you if you’re in their path.
It is especially important to avoid distractions while driving in bad weather.
Assume everyone around you is not paying attention. Just because you have the green light doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look both ways to make sure someone isn’t sliding through the intersection.
The attorneys at Matz Injury Law have helped many car crash victims who were standing outside their vehicles when another vehicle struck them and were injured. The safest place to be after a crash is either inside your vehicle (if the vehicle is in a safe place) or outside, as far away from the road as possible.
Regardless of the time of year or conditions on the road, if you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle crash in Michigan, and it wasn’t your fault, you need legal advice from a personal injury lawyer who specializes in car accidents. You need to know what your rights are and what benefits you might be entitled to from the various insurance companies. There are no accidents, just someone not driving safe enough for the conditions.
About Matz Injury Law
Matz Injury Law (22not33.com)is a Southfield-based firm specializing in personal injury litigation, with a strong focus on representing car accident victims. The firm was founded by Steven J. Matz, who now runs the company with his son and managing partner Jared Matz; both are members of Adat Shalom Synagogue. Matz Injury Law is known for its ethical approach, reduced contingency fee of 22% instead of the Michigan standard of over 33%, and record of securing significant settlements and verdicts – all hallmarks of its respected reputation in the Michigan legal community. The company recently received a Best Family-Led Law Firm Award in the inaugural list presented by Michigan Lawyers Weekly magazine. Contact Matz Injury Law at (866) 226-6833 or Jared@matzinjurylaw.com