Continued Winter Weather Proves Hazardous on Roadways

 Posted on March 14, 2014 in Personal Injury

Snowy conditions in recent weeks have not only proved an annoyance to those eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring while winter stretches on, but have caused dangerous road conditions for drivers on Illinois roadways. According to a recent news article, a sudden drop in temperatures led to freezing roadways before three inches of snow fell to cover the ice on Wednesday morning, March 5th.

Accidents That morning, the snowy and icy conditions called for responses by many emergency workers in Morris to at least eight accidents that occurred on I-80. The accidents occurred quickly, some happening while rescuers were on the scene of a prior accident clearing debris from the road. The majority of the accidents did not result in injuries, although two individuals were transported to Morris Hospital for injuries they sustained in the wrecks. One driver was considered to be in serious condition as a result of being trapped inside their vehicle after hitting the back of a semitrailer. The other injured individual was an Illinois State Police officer who suffered minor injuries after being struck in his vehicle on I-80. The Wintery Conditions Even though the total amount of snowfall was considered mild compared to some other storms in the state this winter, the particular mix of ice and snow is what many believe led to conditions being especially dangerous for drivers that week. In addition, the snowfall on Wednesday morning occurred during commuting hours when many vehicles were on the road. Other storms occurred on the weekend when not as many people were traveling, or had the flexibility of staying off the road, and did not lead to as many accidents. Another thought expressed in the article was that perhaps drivers are becoming more skilled at driving in winter weather thanks to the relatively high number of snowstorms this past winter ushered in. Taking Precautions At this point in the season, it is undoubtedly true that many people are eagerly anticipating the return of warmer weather. In the meantime, it is important to take special care when traveling on the road in dangerous weather-related conditions. Times when ice and snow are present on roadways call for extra attention to speed limits and avoiding distractions while driving. While not all factors contributing to driving conditions are under our control, many are. It is important to take proper precautions while traveling in unsafe conditions to improve the chances of avoiding an accident or other unfortunate outcome. If you have suffered injuries in a car accident due to another driver's negligence, the experienced attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices may be able to help you. We have successful experience representing clients in auto accident cases in DuPage, Lake, Kendall, and Will Counties, as well as surrounding communities. Contact us today for a consultation and let us advise you of your rights.