Tips to Help Avoid Auto Accidents When Navigating Icy Georgia Roads

The streets and highways of the greater Atlanta metro area became dangerous Sunday as snow continued to fall. As predicted, the snow turned to freezing rain and ice and continue to make Atlanta roads unsafe for drivers. As ice and snow makes the roadways slippery, an increase in the number of Atlanta area car crashes is inevitable. While the safest option when the roads are covered in snow and ice is to avoid driving, this is an option that is not available for many.

Though there is always some risk associated with driving on snow covered and icy roads, drivers can reduce the probability of being involved in an accident by slowing down and being particularly attentive. The attorneys of Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, have been representing drivers who suffer serious injuries or wrongful death in Georgia auto accidents for over 39 years. We see the carnage that results when drivers do not adjust their driving for bad weather conditions. This article is designed to offer some basic safety suggestions that may help you avoid being involved in a serious Atlanta car accident.

• Avoid Unnecessary Trips: While you may have no choice but to drive some on snow covered roads, you should do as little driving as possible. Though you may have to go to work, you may be able to avoid other social or voluntary activities. By avoiding discretionary trips, you reduce your chance of being involved in a car crash caused by icy roads. If you avoid discretionary trips, you also help make the roads safe for other drivers on the road by decreasing the amount of traffic.

• Increase Stopping Distance: Because you need more braking distance on icy roads, it is important to allow greater following distance. If you need to suddenly brake, it is unsafe to slam on the brakes on icy roads so you want to allow yourself plenty of room to slowly decrease the speed of your car to avoid obstacles and stopped cars that may lead to serious auto collisions.

• Decrease Speed: It is important to decrease your speed when driving on snow or icy covered roads because your car is prone to skid on icy roadways. If you are traveling at a slow rate of speed, it is easier to maintain control of your car if it skids on icy roads.

• Do Not Slam on Brakes: When the roads are slick and icy, you should gradually brake because slamming on the brakes can cause you to lose control.

• Stay Focused and Alert: While focusing all of your attention on your driving is always important, it is even more critical during adverse weather conditions where you are likely to have less control of your car. You should avoid all distractions such as talking on cell phones, texting, putting on makeup or reading the newspaper.

If you follow these basic common sense safety tips, you can greatly reduce your risk of being involved in a serious Georgia car accident. Because icy roads make it easier for drivers to lose control of their motor vehicle, Georgia car crashes in adverse weather conditions tend to result in catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and fractures, loss of limbs, internal organ damage and even wrongful death. We know that even if you are very careful, you can still be injured by other drivers who do not adjust their driving practices to account for icy and snow covered roads. If you are injured by a careless or reckless driver on a snow covered road, the Georgia icy road attorneys of Montlick and Associates can help you as we have thousands of others throughout Georgia.

Our experienced Georgia auto accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Call us today for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or visit us on the web at www.montlick.com. No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.