Changing Weather Conditions May Result In More Connecticut Auto Accidents

As the old saying goes, in New England, if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.  It’s true the weather is ever changing in this region and from one minute to the next you may not know what you’re going to get.  This is especially true this time of year where temperatures have a tendency to fluctuate between mild and freezing and precipitation can go from rain to ice to snow and back to rain again in a matter of minutes not hours or days.

Changing weather conditions are often what are pointed to as reasons for increases in Connecticut auto accidents and while the conditions cannot be avoided, there are some things you can do as a driver to limit the damage done by any incidents involving weather conditions.

1. Monitor weather conditions to ensure that you are aware of the up to the minute situation on the road.  If conditions are constantly changing and uncertain you may need to hold off on your road trip until the weather becomes more predictable.  

2. Slow down.  One of the best ways to protect yourself and your passengers in uncertain driving conditions is to slow down and often you should be going below the speed limit to protect yourself.  Excessive speed has been the culprit in many auto accident deaths here in Connecticut over the last few years and adding uncertain weather conditions to the mix can have a devastating impact.

3. Always use your headlights when driving.  Whether the skies above are just gray or there is precipitation falling from the sky, you will want to have your headlights on so you can see in front of you and on-coming traffic can see you easily and quickly so there is no need for sudden movements.

Spending time behind the wheel in New England may become adept at handling rapidly changing weather conditions, but these are still important reminders to think about when you’re heading out.  Protecting yourself and your loved ones from a Connecticut auto accident in winter and spring weather conditions can be a matter of just paying a little extra care and taking just a little extra time.  

Whether the weather is bad or the roads are clear and it’s a sunshiny day, any incident can lead to injury or worse.  If this happens to you, you may need to seek expert legal advice.  Contact our office and one of our attorneys will work with you to review the circumstances of your case.