3 Steps to Take After a Winter Auto Accident

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Slick roads and poor visibility mean that there is a decent chance you or someone you know will be in a winter auto accident in the next year. Any car crash can be jarring, but inclement weather can make a winter auto accident especially challenging. When you run off the road or are hit by a someone sliding through the intersection, here are 3 steps to take to keep you and your family safe.

1. Get Clear of the Slide Zone


If you or the car that hit you were reacting to icy conditions on the road, you won’t be the only one to have trouble. In dry conditions, it can be safe to sit in your car on the shoulder of the road as you wait for the police or emergency responders. But when road conditions cause a winter auto accident, that may no longer be the case. Get clear of the slippery roads before you assess the damage or make any calls. If you can move your car, do so, to prevent a secondary accident and more damage to your vehicle.

2. Get Warm


Cold temperatures are another reason you can’t just sit in your vehicle after a winter auto accident. When the temperature drops below freezing, you will need to protect yourself. Consider carrying a warm blanket in your car. After an crash you can wrap yourself in it as you wait or use it to cover yourself as you walk to safety. If your crash happens in a populated area, you can also retreat to the warmth of a gas station or another public place. If you do, make sure you tell the 9-1-1 operator where you will be or leave a note on your car so the police know where to find you.

3. Get Pictures of the Conditions


Once you and your family are safe it is time to start thinking about protecting your finances. While Michigan’s No-Fault Act ensures that your medical expenses, lost wages, and attendant care costs will be covered, other damages may depend on proving fault. In a winter auto accident case, fault can depend greatly on the conditions at the time of the crash. You may be able to testify to what you witnessed, and your attorney may be able to use weather reports to establish conditions. But nothing beats photos of the scene at the time. If you get pictures of the road and the travel conditions, your lawyer can use it to show just what you were dealing with when the winter car crash happened.

A winter auto accident can put you at risk from the elements and from other drivers dealing with hazardous roads. If your car succumbs to the weather, make sure you take care of yourself, your family, and your auto law claims. Once everyone is safe, contact the attorneys at Christensen Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan to get your auto insurance claim started and protect your rights.