Protecting You During Trying Times

Winter Car Accidents Are Still A Risk In Texas

On Behalf of | Dec 5, 2022 | Car Accidents

You may not think of Texas and snow and wintery conditions. In fact, we live in the fifth least-snowiest state in the union. We have seen in recent years how disruptive snow or ice storms can be in a region that does not consistently see this kind of weather. In the past five years, the DFW area has seen winters of negligible snowfall and up to five inches.

There is no way to know from season to season how much snow we will see and you could encounter circumstances that can lead to a car accident that you might not see in the summer. Here are just a few of the types of accidents that could occur during this time of the year so that you can be aware of your surroundings and other drivers.

Sliding

One of the common types of car accidents that occur in the winter involves sliding and intersections. If you’re unable to get enough traction or you come upon a patch of black ice, then it’s possible to slide through an intersection, which can result in being hit by a car that’s coming through the area or hitting another vehicle that’s crossing through. You can sometimes decrease the risk of this happening by gently applying your brakes a bit sooner than you normally would so that you can get stopped in time instead of harshly stepping on the brakes and possibly sliding on the road.

Visibility

The visibility in the winter months can be diminished. This could be due to snow, rain, or fog. If you cannot clearly see the road or other drivers don’t see your vehicle, then an accident could occur. Poor visibility could also result in hitting an animal that you don’t see, such as a deer. You can decrease this type of accident by making sure your headlights work properly or by waiting until weather conditions clear before getting on the road.

During the winter months, several components can factor into being involved in an accident that might not be present at other times. While you can do your best in inclement weather — staying home when able or practicing safe driving habits — you could still find yourself involved in a car accident. While snowfall in Texas is fairly uncommon, it is not impossible, which makes knowing the risks important.