If you are heading out of town for the holidays, take the time to keep your family safe before you head out of town. As a personal injury lawyer, I know that it is easy to take the road conditions and your car for granted. When the roads are clear and the weather sunny in town, it is easy to assume that the conditions will be the same on your trip. Coming from sunny California, remember that our warm weather is the exception and not the rule. If you are heading to the mountains for a holiday ski trip or east to see the family, plan for winter weather and prepare accordingly so that you and your family can avoid a holiday accident.
Ways to Prepare for Your Road Trip
- Schedule a tune-up. During your appointment, the mechanic will look for things like failing breaks or any mechanical problems that could lead to your car not responding like it needs to. Driving in bad weather requires you to be able to stop or slow suddenly, see clearly and react to bad road conditions or other vehicles that are out of control. When your car is operating as it should be – you can.
- Check your tire tread. As a personal injury lawyer, I know that many accidents could be prevented if the tires had enough tread to grab hold of the road. This is especially true in wet or snowy weather. Try the penny test to make sure that you have enough tread before you head out for your ski trip.
- Replace your battery. Most people are not aware that old batteries can give out in cold weather. If you plan on driving into it, make sure that your car will start up after your lunch break. As a general rule of thumb, you may want to replace your battery every four to five years.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney After an Accident
Do your best to stay safe; but if you are in a car wreck this holiday season, call a personal injury attorney for help. When it comes to bad weather, it can be more challenging to prove negligence or who was at fault for the crash. Doing so is critical to your ability to receive financial compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, this is where an accident attorney can become invaluable. To schedule a free consultation with the Law Offices of J. Chrisp call (707) 549-8166 or contact us HERE.