Horrific Weather Leads to Hundreds of Car Accidents in Memphis Alone

By Thomas Greer | March 11, 2015

Winter Storm Octavia did a number on Tennessee in February – and our roads are no exception. On Monday, February 15th alone there were 73 accidents on roads and highways in Memphis thanks to slushy roads and freezing temperatures. The cold has damaged property, caused numerous injuries and has even led to the death of one man who froze while sleeping in an abandoned building.

With such treacherous conditions out there, it is best to stay put until you know the roads are safe. If you simply must leave the house, however, we offer you a few suggestions for protecting yourself on dangerous roads.

  • Safety first. Stay at or below speed limits, buckle your seat belt and make sure your headlights, brake lights and blinkers all work. You should also keep all four tires inflated, as it gives you greater traction on the road. Make sure your horn works (just in case) and your cell phone is charged but off while you drive.
  • Use your gears. Driving in snow can be dangerous not only because it hides black ice, but because it can compact under the weight of your car and other cars. When driving up or down an incline, or on roads with a lot of snow, consider using your gears as opposed to driving in automatic.
  • Stay in the car. If you get stranded, do not leave your vehicle. You can easily get lost in a snow storm, and you might not be fully visible to other drivers. Stay in your car and call for help. If you must run the car for heat, make sure that your exhaust pipe is clear, or that you can open a window to get fresh, clean air in the car.
  • Make sure you are awake and prepared. Driving in inclement weather requires more concentration and fast reflexes. If you are fatigued, distracted or intoxicated, you run the risk of getting into a serious accident and hurting yourself or someone else. Make sure you are in the right condition to drive before getting into the car.

The number one thing to do is to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. If you can avoid going out on dangerous roads, do so. If not, keep a level head: don’t speed, don’t jam on the brakes and don’t allow anything else to take your focus off of the road.

Experienced car crash lawyers help you after a weather-related accident

An ounce of prevention goes a long way when you’re driving in hazardous winter weather. If you do have a car accident on a Memphis or Jackson road, contact Bailey & Greer, PLLC to learn how we can help you recover compensation for your losses.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Blog