The first day of spring is just a few weeks away so now is the perfect time to prepare for shifting road conditions.. Stay alert and keep your hands on the wheel as you navigate these common spring driving hazards.
It's crucial to prepare yourself for the hazards that come with spring driving, and to know the proper steps to take after a car accident. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can make a significant difference in securing the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Spring Driving Hazards
Watch for Leftover Ice
Don’t assume that all the ice is gone even though spring feels warmer.. Ice can linger on the roads, especially in shaded areas or on bridges, for weeks. Drive as if the roads are still icy: maintain a safe distance, approach intersections cautiously, and slow down if the roads seem wet.
Beware of Leftover Sand and Salt
Salt and sand are often used to treat icy roads in winter; however, once the snow melts, the salt and sand can remain on the roads, making traction tricky. Pay extra attention at intersections and give yourself more time to brake.
Master Driving in the Rain
Spring showers, a hallmark of the season, can create hazardous conditions. When driving in rain, turn on your headlights, reduce your speed, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Remember, even light rain mixed with oil on the road can create slippery conditions.
Steer Clear of Hail
Driving in a hailstorm is particularly dangerous due to the combination of wet roads and ice falling from the sky. If possible, avoid driving during hailstorms. If you're already on the road, pull over safely and wait for the storm to pass.
Avoid Flooded Roads
Melting snow, heavy rainfall, and frozen ground can easily lead to flooding. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around and find a safer route. Standing water is deceptively dangerous, as strong undercurrents may be present, and it’s difficult to gauge the depth of the water.
Prepare for Potholes
The combination of salt, sand, and plowing during winter, followed by fluctuating temperatures, creates the perfect conditions for potholes. If you can't avoid a pothole, slow down before you hit it, and release the brakes just before you drive over it. This will reduce the impact and help protect your vehicle’s suspension.
Stay Off the Shoulders
Winter erosion, followed by spring rains and flooding, can soften gravel shoulders and wash away the ground beneath. Whenever possible, avoid driving or parking on gravel shoulders to prevent getting stuck or damaging your vehicle.
Watch for Pedestrians and Bikers
As the weather warms up, more people are out walking, biking, and motorcycling. Be especially cautious in areas with children, near parks, or in neighborhoods, and keep an eye out for pedestrians on roads or shoulders.
Watch for Wildlife
Spring also brings an increase in animal activity as many creatures emerge from hibernation. If you see an animal near the road, slow down and prepare to stop. If an animal is already on the road, don’t swerve, brake in a straight line to avoid a more serious accident. Be extra vigilant at dusk or in rural areas where wildlife is most active.
What To Do After a Car Accident
If you have been in a car accident, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Put your emergency flashers on.
- Check for injuries and that you and your passengers are okay.
- Pull over to the side of the road if possible, ensuring you are clearly out of the path of other vehicles.
- Set up flares and/or reflective markers to warn other drivers and identify your location to first responders.
- Call 911, requesting fire, paramedics, and police as needed.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Take pictures of the accident scene.
- See if there are witnesses at the scene.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Personal injury cases from an automobile accident injury can be complex, and it is important that you understand the variety of different liability and insurance coverage issues that may apply to your case. If you think that someone was at fault in causing a collision that you, a family member, or friend were involved in, you should have the facts of your claim reviewed by a lawyer as soon as possible.
Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
GLP Attorneys has supported clients with their personal injury cases for over four decades. GLP Attorneys has experience achieving justice for clients who have been involved in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and trucking accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident, call 800-273-5005 or email our attorneys at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.
