In Nevada, the weather is one of the leading contributing factors to car crashes, only behind distracted and impaired driving. As the weather begins to shift and we find ourselves driving on wet and frosty pavement, the rate of car accidents shoots up exponentially because Nevada drivers are unfamiliar with driving in those conditions. To avoid winter auto accidents, follow these winter driving tips from Willoughby Shulman Injury Lawyers, your trusted Las Vegas auto accident attorneys.

Winter Tire Care

Before you hit the road, it’s important to double and triple-check your car to ensure that your car is optimized to handle inclement weather. Be sure to check the tire pressure and tread to ensure that you have enough traction to drive on wet and frosty roads.

Check Tire Pressure and Tread Before Driving

For driving on slick roadways, it’s important to ensure that your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the recommended psi for your tire as driving on slick roads with deflated tires can reduce traction and handling. While each tire’s recommended psi will vary, a typically recommended psi will be between 30 and 35 psi as anything lower could affect handling on slick roads.

Keep a Set of Tire Chains

In addition to driving with safe tire pressure, it is generally a good idea to keep a pair of tire chains in your trunk with the rest of your emergency tools. While you may not ever need the tire chains, you will be glad that you have them when you need them, especially if you are venturing into areas where snowfall and frost may be an issue.

Test Battery Voltage

There is nothing worse than being out and about when your car battery dies unexpectedly. You’ve probably found yourself in this position once or twice before but as the weather begins to drop, it will increase the chances of happening. Extreme cold can be a drain on car batteries. A multimeter is a relatively inexpensive but handy tool that can allow you to check your battery’s voltage output before driving.

Drive Defensively

With the increased risk of losing control while driving on slick roads, you should drive cautiously and defensively. You may need to drive slowly while leaving plenty of room between cars to give yourself the best chance at reacting to hazards. Always remember to:

  • Wear a seatbelt
  • Drive slowly
  • Leave room between cars
  • Avoid distractions such as cell phones
  • Stop early

Willoughby Shulman Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Personal Injury Law Firm

If you find yourself in a car accident this winter, don’t hesistate to contact an experienced car accident lawyer. At Willoughby Shulman Injury Lawyers, we provide our clients with the experience and knowledge necessary to successfully file a claim and we can help you too. Please complete a contact form or give us a call to schedule a consultation today.