Heavy use of our highways in all types of weather combined with poor driving technique, sets the stage for the chain reaction traffic accident (or pile up). This type of accident involves multiple vehicles, and causes substantial damage, injuries, and fatalities. Many of the victims are caught by surprise with few or no options for avoiding them.
Staying clear of these vehicular nightmares requires foresight on the part of motorists. They must recognize and adjust their driving to the conditions that cause these accidents. Here are three common reasons for pile up accidents:
Insufficient Following Distance
Chain reaction accidents aren’t limited to poor weather situations. They can happen in ideal driving conditions because motorists allow insufficient following distance. Drivers who do this place their welfare into the hands of all the tailgaters ahead of them. It only takes one distracted or reckless motorist to trigger a pile up. It’s also best to avoid clumps of cars when possible. Being boxed in leaves you with no maneuvering options in an emergency.
Poor spacing and lack of alertness are the primary causes of all chain reaction accidents. When bad road conditions are included in the equation, the risk of a pile up is high.
Poor Traction
Motorists often fail to adjust their driving to the road conditions. For example, traffic speed slows little if at all on wet pavement. Wet pavement doesn’t allow for last second braking, which causes the familiar sound of squealing tires. People adjust their driving far too slowly when sudden snow squalls occur on untreated roads. Some may allow extra space, but not enough for the treacherous conditions.
Poor Visibility
Thick fog not only interferes with your ability to see the road, it also diminishes depth perception and your ability to judge speed. People in fog tend to underestimate their speed. They also follow the tail lights of the traffic in front, and often too closely. This is a perfect setup for a chain reaction accident, which can be triggered in a number of ways. For example, the lead car may rear-end a car parked on the side of the road. This happens because poor speed perception causes the lead driver to perceive the parked car as moving.
Weather conditions such as blizzards and snow squall white-outs, combine the elements of poor visibility with poor traction. This makes them especially treacherous.
If another driver injured you in an accident, seek the legal advice of an experienced traffic accident lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us at 844-Take-MyCase or visit our website at www.844TakeMyCase.com.
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