An Accident Attorney Shares 5 Tips for Driving This Winter in Birmingham, Alabama

As any accident attorney will let you know, winter in Alabama can bring a whole host of driving problems. Not only is it cold, but the roads can also be icy. Even if it doesn’t snow, when the temperatures drop below freezing, there’s a good chance the roads will ice over. You want to keep you and your family safe. You also want to make sure you don’t hurt any other motorists. Here are a few tips to keep you safe while on the roads this winter. If something happens and you get hurt in a car accident, you may need help. You can call and schedule your free, initial consultation with an experienced car accident attorney in Alabama.

What to Do If Your Car Slides on Ice or Black Ice

When we learn how to drive as a teenager, we learn the basics. Some of us went to driving school. Other people had driver’s education in high school. At some point, they taught you what to do if your car slides on the ice. An accident attorney knows that it can be hard to remember this, especially when you’re in the midst of a spinout. Here are a few tips on what to do if you lose control of your car on a sheet of ice:

• Do not hit the accelerator. You don’t want to hit the gas and have the car spin out of control.
• Lightly press the brakes. The last thing you want to do is slam on the brakes. This can be disastrous.
• Steer away from the skid. Just be careful not to oversteer.
• Once the car comes to a stop, slowly and carefully correct your car back onto the road.

Make Sure You Have Snow Tires

In order to navigate the ice, sleet and snow, you need to have quality tires. Make sure you see your mechanic and have them check out your tires. It may be a good idea to buy new snow tires. Even if you don’t expect to get a lot of snow this season, you still want to be careful. An ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure. If you don’t need new tires, you still want to get them rotated. This should be done a couple of times a year. In fact, some mechanics suggest that you get them rotated every time you get your oil changed.

Always Heat Up Your Car Before You Hit the Road

Some people think that, just because they have a new car, they don’t need to let it heat up. An accident attorney will tell you that it’s crucial that you always let your car heat up. This is especially true if the temperatures are below freezing. Your car is a machine. You need to let it run for a few minutes before you take to the road.

Keep an Emergency Kit in the Trunk of Your Car

You want to make sure you have an emergency kit in the trunk of your car. You can buy one online or create it yourself. This should have the following items inside:

• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Blankets
• Bottled water
• Flares
• Battery charger if you have one

Have a Mechanic Check Your Battery

The last thing you want to do is have your battery die while out in the cold. If your battery is relatively new, then you may not need to buy a new one. You do want to make sure it’s fully charged. This is why it’s a good idea to keep a set of jumper cables in your car at all times.

If Something Does Happen, Call and Talk to a Skilled Car Accident Attorney in Alabama

No matter how careful you are, there are still times when things go beyond your control. Mother nature can be very fickle. It could be sunny and clear in the afternoon and then rain sheets of ice by nightfall. You need to be prepared for this. You also have to watch out for other drivers on the road. It doesn’t matter how prepared somebody is, you can never be prepared for a dangerous accident. If this happens to you and your family, call and talk to a seasoned car accident attorney in Alabama as soon as possible. Call the office right away and set up a date and time to meet with an attorney. The initial consultation is free, and you don’t pay anything until your case is resolved.