On behalf of The Law Offices of Mitchell Clair on Monday, December 2, 2019.

It doesn’t matter where you live in the state of Pennsylvania, when winter weather rolls into the area it will impact your life in a variety of ways. For example, if you find yourself on the road when the snow begins to fall, you must immediately adjust your driving style to improve your safety.

Here are five steps you can take to prevent an accident when driving in the snow:

• Stay at home until conditions improve: If it’s an option, stay at home until local crews clear the road and the snow stops falling. For example, if you need to go shopping, you can probably put it off for the time being.
• Slow down: Even if you make no other changes to your driving style, you should slow down in slippery conditions. The faster you drive in the snow, the more likely you are to lose control of your vehicle.
• Avoid steep hills: Plan your route in an attempt to avoid steep hills that will be difficult to climb. If possible, drive around these hills to reach your destination. And if you have to tackle a steep hill, keep a slow and steady pace. If you stop, starting back up may be impossible.
• Leave a greater following distance: Driving too closely to the vehicle in front of yours is a risk you never want to take. It takes longer to stop in snowy conditions, so more space is a must.
• Watch for unsafe drivers: You may be driving safely, but that doesn’t mean that others are doing the same. There will be people out there who are driving too fast, ignoring stop and yield signs, and driving in an aggressive manner.

There’s a good chance you’ll find yourself driving in the snow this winter. If another driver causes an accident, you’re at risk of suffering a serious injury, such as broken bones, a traumatic brain injury or amputation.

Any accident, regardless of the circumstances, requires immediate medical attention. After you understand your injuries, your treatment plan and long-term prognosis, you can file an insurance claim, collect evidence and take steps to obtain compensation for your injuries, damage to your vehicle and other financial losses.