Throughout Kansas City, the winter months often mean an increase in rain and snow. As a result, all residents and travelers should recognize how to stay safe when the weather takes a turn for the worst. Understanding what you can do can prevent you from causing an accident and someone else suffering an injury and help you identify problems to watch out for.
Five tips to help keep you safe for the holidays include:
- Drive safely
- Maintain your vehicle
- Be careful with snow
- Work to avoid slip and falls
- Be aware of holiday dangers
At DiPasquale Moore, we care about your safety. However, we also know that you can’t always predict someone else’s actions. Unfortunately, others may not put safety first, and as a result, they cause severe crashes in the winter months. When this happens, we’ll be there to help you recognize your rights.
Call our firm today at (816) 888-7500 if you suffer an injury because of someone else’s negligence.
Drive Safely
Weather conditions can significantly impact someone’s ability to drive safely. Even when the roads have safe posted speed limits, the weather conditions may require you to drive even slower. Unfortunately, not everyone keeps the inclement weather in mind, and they continue to speed, swerve, and make sudden movements when they shouldn’t.
Here are some tips for driving safely during the winter:
- Slow down if necessary. Rain and snow can make it more challenging for you to brake, so you don’t want to travel too fast when around other vehicles.
- Give other drivers space. Never tailgate in the winter months because you can cause a severe crash due to your inability to stop.
- Remember to use tire chains if prompted. Tire chains keep your friction as high as possible so that you don’t lose control when driving.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Vehicle maintenance is one of the most effective ways to stay safe. Far too often, drivers forget or fail to check their windshield wipers, tires, and brakes during this time of the year. As these auto parts begin to wear down, they can have a significant impact on your ability to stay safe. Here’s how each of these aspects of your vehicle keeps you safe in the winter months.
- Windshield wipers: Your windshield wipers clear your front window of any water or snow that could impair your vision. As these wear down, they streak more than they clean. As such, the streaking across the window reduces visibility.
- Tires: The tread on your tires plays a vital role in keeping you safe. It creates traction between your vehicle and the road, preventing you from losing control. If you don’t replace your tires when the tread is low, you risk spinning out of control in inclement weather.
- Brakes: Your brakes help you stop as you approach traffic. However, if they are worn, they don’t do the job nearly as well. Instead of braking, you may hear a loud grinding sound from your brakes that won’t keep you safe.
Be Careful with Snow
Snow shoveling and snow blowing are often necessary for home and property owners. However, there’s a significant risk of injury whenever you do these activities. The heavy weight of snow and the possibility of slipping are cause for concern. Here are some tips to help you stay safe if you’re shoveling or blowing snow from your property:
- Avoid trying to shovel snow that’s packed in because it can be much heavier.
- Use your legs to lift the shovel instead of your back to avoid injury.
- Understand your limits and never work yourself to exhaustion.
- Wear the proper clothing and shoes to avoid extreme cold or slipping.
Work to Avoid Slip and Falls
Property owners must ensure that their premises are safe from potential dangers. In the winter months, they should clear their property of snow, ice, and any other substances that can make the ground slippery for visitors. Unfortunately, not all property owners take these steps, resulting in you suffering a slip and fall.
One thing you can do is ensure your shoes have the proper grip to keep you upright. Unfortunately, that may not work, and you have rights if you suffer an injury in these situations.
Be Aware of Holiday Dangers
Several holidays fall around this time of year, and it’s vital to recognize the dangers. Some of the most significant issues include drunk drivers, distracted drivers, and tired drivers. Whenever these drivers are on the road, they can cause some of the most significant accidents. It’s important to recognize when a driver may be negligent. Look out for these signs:
- A driver swerving back and forth between lanes
- A driver who speeds up and slows down without reason
- A driver who operates their vehicle without lights on at night
- A driver who appears to be dozing off or looking down at a cellphone
If someone else causes you harm because of their reckless options, you deserve the right to hold the negligent party accountable. Our team at DiPasquale Moore works to safeguard your rights throughout the process so that you can feel confident throughout the process and pursue the compensation you need.
Trust our Kansas City personal injury attorneys to stand on your side and pursue justice. We don’t back down from insurance adjusters who may try to bully you when you’re in a vulnerable situation. Let us be your partners and pursue the maximum compensation available to you after someone else’s negligence causes you harm.
Call our firm today at (816) 888-7500 to discuss your rights.