Whether we like it or not, winter appears to have arrived in Western Wisconsin. While lovers of outdoor winter activities may be cheering about this, other people are not as excited. There are multiple reasons for this including the road conditions that often accompany snow and cold temperatures. In addition to slowing down commutes, they can cause car accidents to occur.

To help reduce the risk of a car accident occurring, there are ways that you can prepare your car for the weather. Checking it over to make sure it is running correctly is important. Among other things this includes checking the battery, brakes, antifreeze levels and the freeze line. In addition to air, the tread depth and sidewall wear of the tires should also be looked at. A tune-up could help to make sure that vehicle responds as intended.

In the event that something happens in a remote area packing a survival guide could save your life. In addition to brightly colored and reflective materials, blankets and clothing and high-energy foods that are non-perishable should be kept in the car. Should a situation arise in which these items become necessary, staying with the car is generally the best idea. Using the brightly colored material can help attract the attention of those passing by.

While road conditions could cause car accidents to occur, in other situations the incidents happen as a result of the negligent actions taken by other drivers. When one of these crashes results in serious injury to those involved, it could prompt a personal injury lawsuit. Anything recovered in such a case could be helpful in paying the medical bills and related costs that often mount following such an incident.

Source: Weather.com, “Winterize Your Car,” Accessed Nov. 13, 2014