Winter in the Midwest brings bitter cold and a great deal of snow and ice. While these conditions are often seen as an inconvenience, they can have a major impact on roadway safety. Every year, winter car accidents lead to more than 1,300 deaths and 116,000 injuries across the United States. People should be aware of the potential for accidents that can result from the following causes.

Slippery Roads

Snow and ice on the road can create a major hazard for drivers, affecting their ability to slow down, stop properly, and negotiate turns and hills. “Black ice,” which results when a thin layer of water freezes on the road, can be especially dangerous, since it is difficult to recognize and can lead to a complete loss of control of a driver’s vehicle.

Being hit by another car from behind is a common type of car accident. Often, these accidents are caused by speeding or inattentive drivers.

According to 2014 data, rear-end crashes account for about one-third of all car accidents. In that year, there were almost 2 million rear-end accidents reported. Of those accidents, about 2,000 were fatal. Moreover, 522,000 of these accidents lead to bodily injury.

Is Fault Already Determined?

Several types of injuries can arise from a car accident and include broken bones, sprains, and lacerations. Additionally, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can also occur.

What is a TBI?

The brain is one of the body’s most complex organs, and it is especially vulnerable to injury. A TBI is sustained when the head is hit or quickly jerked. In the context of car accidents, a TBI can be sustained through whiplash or through an object striking the head.

Wisconsin law prohibits drivers from endangering the safety of others or property by the negligent operation of a vehicle. The reckless driving law is written broadly, and numerous types of driving behavior may result in reckless driving charges for a driver.

Reckless driving can impact your ability to keep your driver’s license. Therefore, if you have been charged with reckless driving and are concerned about your charges, a skilled criminal defense attorney can help you understand the consequences you may face and will work with you to build an effective defense.

Examples of Reckless Driving

To bring awareness to the issue of distracted driving, the National Safety Council has named April as the Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving causes serious injury and death, and these accidents are entirely preventable.

If you suspect that the driver who caused your car accident was distracted, you should not have to pay for your injuries. An attorney can help you prove that the other driver was at fault and that you are entitled to monetary damages.

Cell Phone Usage is a Common Source of Distracted Driving