Car Accidents in Snow: What to Do After Winter Crashes?

Winter weather brings unique challenges to drivers, often turning routine trips into hazardous endeavors. Blowing snow, along with ice and reduced visibility, significantly increases the risk of car accidents, even for the most cautious drivers. Whether it’s slippery roads or poor vehicle maintenance, understanding the causes of winter accidents is key to staying safe.

If a collision occurs, knowing how to document the scene, handle insurance claims, and protect your legal rights is equally important. For those seriously injured in a winter accident, the help of our Portland car accident attorney can make all the difference in winning fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Common Causes of Winter Accidents

Winter conditions pose significant challenges for drivers, increasing the likelihood of accidents due to ice, snow, and poor visibility. Several factors contribute to these seasonal hazards, often turning routine commutes into treacherous journeys.

Key causes include slippery roads, reduced visibility, and vehicle-related issues. It is crucial to prepare before winter weather hits by ensuring vehicles are equipped with quality windshield wiper fluid and performing maintenance on key components like wipers and tires.

Slippery Roads

Slippery roads are among the most dangerous winter hazards, especially those covered with black ice or hard-packed snow. Black ice, nearly invisible on the road, forms when temperatures cause moisture to freeze, creating a slick surface that drivers may not notice until it’s too late. This condition can lead to rear-end collisions, spin-outs, and sliding through intersections. Snow-covered roads further complicate driving by reducing traction and creating slush, which hinders braking and steering. Maintaining slower speeds and leaving extra distance between vehicles are critical safety measures in such conditions.

Reduced Visibility

Reduced visibility is another major factor in winter accidents. Shorter daylight hours, heavy snowfall, winter storms, or fog can obscure road markings, other vehicles, and potential hazards. Snow accumulation on windshields and mirrors, combined with glare from headlights, exacerbates the issue.

Functional windshield wipers, defrosters, and high-quality headlights are essential to mitigate these risks. Drivers must exercise patience, caution, and increased awareness to navigate safely through poor visibility. Many of the multi-vehicle pile-ups that we see on the news are often caused by snow squalls where blizzard-like conditions prevent drivers from properly seeing the road ahead.

Vehicle Maintenance Issues

Vehicle maintenance plays a pivotal role in winter driving safety. Worn tires with inadequate tread depth struggle to grip icy roads, increasing the risk of skidding. Faulty brakes or steering systems further compromise vehicle control, while low fluid levels can lead to reduced engine performance and visibility issues.

Regular maintenance, including checking tires, brakes, and fluid levels, ensures vehicles are equipped to handle harsh winter conditions. Additionally, ensuring a full reservoir of high-quality windshield wiper fluid, especially the winter variety with de-icer, is crucial for maintaining visibility during heavy snowfall.

Many people don’t realize how well winter tires actually perform and are considered significantly more effective than all-season tires in cold weather conditions, especially when driving on snow, ice, or slush. Due to their specialized rubber compound designed to remain flexible in cold temperatures, they provide superior traction and braking ability compared to regular tires.

By recognizing these common causes and taking proactive measures, drivers can significantly reduce the risks associated with winter driving.

Preventing Winter Driving Car Accidents

Winter weather can transform even the most familiar roads into treacherous paths, increasing the risk of car accidents. Preparing for winter driving is crucial to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. Here are some essential tips and information to help you navigate winter driving conditions with confidence.

Winter Weather Driving Tips

1. Slow down: Reducing your speed is one of the most effective ways to maintain control on snowy or icy roads. Slower speeds give you more time to react to sudden changes in road conditions and shorten stopping distances.
2. Use low gear: When driving uphill in snowy or icy conditions, using a low gear can help maintain control of your vehicle by providing better traction.
3. Avoid sudden movements: Sudden turns or braking can cause your vehicle to lose traction on snowy or icy roads. Smooth, gradual movements are key to maintaining control.
4. Use headlights: Turning on your headlights increases your visibility to other drivers and helps you see the road ahead, especially during heavy snowfall or fog.
5. Keep a safe distance: Leave plenty of space between you and snow plows. Snow plows can throw up snow and ice, which can damage your vehicle and obscure your visibility.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter

Ensuring your vehicle is ready for winter conditions is just as important as adjusting your driving habits. Here are some key steps to prepare your car for the cold weather:

1. Check your tires: Make sure your tires are in good condition with sufficient tread depth. Consider installing snow tires, which are designed to provide better traction on icy and snowy surfaces.
2. Check your windshield wipers: Ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition and capable of handling snow and ice. Replacing old wipers can significantly improve your visibility.
3. Check your battery: Cold weather can drain your battery quickly. Make sure your battery is in good condition, and consider having it checked by a professional to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
4. Check your antifreeze: Ensure your antifreeze is at the recommended level and rated for temperatures of -30°C or colder to prevent your engine from freezing.
5. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle: Include items such as a spare tire, flashlight, first aid kit, and warm blankets. These can be lifesavers if you become stranded in cold weather.

How Is Fault Determined in Winter Accidents?

Winter weather conditions like snow and ice significantly impact driving safety, but driver behavior often plays a bigger role in accidents. Failing to adapt to snowy conditions, such as not slowing down or maintaining a safe distance, increases the risk of crashes.

Drivers are expected to exercise a duty of care, which means they must act with reasonable caution to prevent harm to others. This is the rule no matter the road conditions. Even in snowy or icy weather, the responsibility to drive safely remains. This includes adapting to road conditions by reducing speed, using appropriate tires, and maintaining control of the vehicle. Failing to do so may constitute negligence, making the driver liable for any resulting accidents.

Determining fault in a winter accident often involves gathering evidence to show how the winter car crash occurred. Photographic evidence of the accident scene, witness statements, and even traffic or cell phone records can help establish whether a driver failed to act responsibly. Drivers who neglect their duty of care by ignoring weather conditions may be held accountable for damages caused.

Does Insurance Cover Snow Accidents?

Many drivers wonder whether their insurance will cover accidents caused by snowy or icy conditions. The good news is that most auto insurance policies do provide coverage for winter weather accidents, but the extent of coverage depends on the specific terms of your policy.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage typically applies to damage caused by impacts with other vehicles or objects, which is common in winter accidents. This coverage protects you regardless of fault, offering financial assistance if you slide into another car, hit a guardrail, or encounter similar incidents due to slippery roads.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance addresses weather-related damages, such as those caused by falling ice, hail, or heavy snow. If your vehicle is damaged by winter weather, comprehensive coverage can help cover the repair or replacement costs.

Liability Coverage

Liability insurance covers damages you cause to others when you’re at fault for an accident. In winter crashes, this coverage may apply if it’s determined that your driving behavior — such as failing to adjust to road conditions — contributed to the collision.

Understanding your insurance coverage and keeping your vehicle winter-ready are essential steps for minimizing risks and ensuring financial protection during the colder months. For specific policy details or claims, consult your insurance provider.

How to Protect Yourself After an Accident in Winter

Winter car crashes can be stressful, but taking the right steps afterward can help protect your health, legal rights, and potential claims. Quick action and good documentation are key to minimizing the impact of a winter accident.

1. Stay Safe First

If you’re able, stay in your vehicle to stay warm and avoid danger from passing traffic. Turn on your hazard lights, and if you can, wear reflective gear to increase your visibility. If you need to leave your car, find a safe spot nearby.

2. Document Your Snow Car Accident

Take photos of the road conditions (ice or snow), vehicle damage, and how the cars are positioned. This can be crucial evidence showing what caused the crash. Also, exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers, and try to get witness statements if you can.

3. Report the Car Incident

Always report the crash to the police and your insurance company. The police report provides an official record of the incident, which is important for proving fault. Be careful not to talk too much to the other driver’s insurance company without first talking to a lawyer, as your words might be misused.

4. Get Medical Help Right Away

Even if you don’t feel injured right away, seek medical attention. Injuries like whiplash or concussions may not show up immediately. Your medical records and medical bills can also be important evidence if you decide to file a claim for compensation.

5. Consult a Car Accident Lawyer

To protect your interests, contact an experienced attorney. Our experienced lawyer can help gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and make sure you get fair compensation for damages. Taking these steps ensures you are protected physically, financially, and legally after a winter car accident.