Driving in winter can be dangerous. Snowy and icy conditions reduce visibility, control, and performance while driving. Stalling out when you are traveling in winter or getting into a car accident can mean that you won’t be able to drive, or run a heater, for several hours. Make sure your car is prepared for cold weather this winter by looking at some tips to make sure your vehicle is ready to tackle snow and ice, and you have supplies in case your car breaks down, with Nelson Personal Injury.
Prepare Your Car For Winter
Making sure that your car is in the best shape it can be before braving less than clear roads can help prevent problems. Making sure that your battery is charged and will hold a charge in the cold weather, that belts and other engine parts are in good shape, and that you have the proper tires for the weather are all a good place to start.
Checking that visibility won’t be impaired can also save you from an accident. Wiper fluid levels can help keep snow off your windshield and stop freezing effects. Additionally, replacing your wiper blades to avoid streaks and incomplete clearing will make sure you have the best view of the road that you can.
Finally, making sure your brakes are as functioning as possible is critical. Snow already increases the stopping distance of your vehicle, and faulty brakes could be the difference between a fender bender and a safe stop in the snow.
Emergency Checklist
If the worst does happen and you are stranded away from aid, make sure that you will be safe and supplied. There are tools that you can keep in your vehicle that could help you get unstuck from a snowdrift, or stay safe while waiting for help. Nelson Personal Injury recommends keeping these things somewhere in your car in the event of an accident on the roadways this winter:
- Sand or Kitty Litter: it sounds strange but it can give your wheels traction when they are stuck.
- First-aid Kit
- Warm clothing to layer with
- A small snow shovel
- Jumper cables
- Drinking water
- Non-perishable snacks
- Your phone and a way to charge it if need be
- A basic tool kit
- Towels
- Extra window washer fluid
- An emergency blanket
These items can help you free your vehicle from a snowdrift, get up a hill, or keep passengers warm in the event that you need to wait for help. Most of these items can be packed into a small bundle and kept in the back of your trunk so you won’t even miss the space. While putting these together may seem like a pain, they can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a very dangerous situation.
Work With Nelson Personal Injury
If you or a loved one experiences a car accident on the roadways this winter, making sure that you are safe is the top priority. After that, ensuring that you are awarded the compensation you deserve so that you and your family can move forward from the accident is critical. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Nelson Personal Injury have been working in no-fault claims for over 30 years. We have helped the St. Cloud and central Minnesota area for years, and know how to help you with your case. Get a free case evaluation today by visiting our website, here https://nelsonpersonalinjury.com/.