A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Explains How Spring Weather Conditions Contribute To Car Accidents

The arrival of spring means flowers color landscapes, snow begins to melt, and the roads in and around Philadelphia become busier. Warmer weather brings people out onto the roads. Travel increases, and our favorite area destinations become more populated. Fully out of hibernation mode, motorists across the greater Philadelphia metro area take advantage of longer days and warmer weather to travel. However, spring also creates road conditions that are sometimes difficult to manage. While Winter has its own set of challenges, the warmer weather and lack of snow in spring should not be underestimated. Philadelphia car accident attorney Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., understands that it is essential to respect road conditions at all times, regardless of the season. Spring is no exception. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact our office today. We offer free consultations where you can ask questions and receive feedback tailored to your specific circumstances. 

Melting Snow Creates a Headache on Area Roads

Road conditions are subject to change at a moment’s notice in spring. We like to think of springtime as warm, sunny weather. However, there are times when the cold, wintry weather of December and January sticks around for a while longer. When snow lingers into springtime, it not only ruins outdoor activities but also makes roadway travel treacherous. Slick road surfaces coupled with reduced visibility can make for a challenging drive. 

Once the weather finally warms up, that creates its own set of roadway hazards. Melting snow mixes with roadway debris and dirt to create a potentially dangerous mix of substances. Bear in mind that as the weather improves, so, too, does the amount of traffic on area roads. This increase in traffic, combined with these debris-filled roads, creates circumstances that increase the likelihood of a car accident occurring. 

In other words, to avoid a car accident, you must adapt your driving to the changing road conditions. It is a risk to drive in the spring as you would in summer. If you know in advance that snow will be melting, give yourself more distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. When you give yourself more time to slow down, the likelihood of needing to slam on your brakes decreases. This, in turn, reduces the need for vehicles behind you to do the same. 

What Spring Roadway Conditions Do You Need to Keep an Eye Out For?

The better you can understand spring road conditions in and around Philadelphia, the more likely you are to avoid accidents. Ultimately, you must be able to drive with your eyes not only on the road conditions but also on your fellow motorists. Certainly, this is challenging. That is the reality you face as you enter the roads and highways of southeast Pennsylvania this spring. Here are the spring road conditions that a Philadelphia car accident attorney from Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. believes are especially important to you being able to stay safe on area roads. 

First, potholes are everywhere in the early spring. As moisture seeps into cracks and crevices in the road surface, it creates larger gaps, which weaken the roadway surface. The end result is that large cracks are created, which ultimately turn into indentations in the road. These potholes not only can fill with oil, water, and other substances, but are sometimes deep enough to throw your vehicle off-kilter. Not to mention the other motorists on the road who are not paying close attention to road conditions. 

Swerving to avoid potholes is a sensible reaction. However, bear in mind that overcorrecting to avoid a pothole can lead to accidents through side swipes and abrupt lane changes. When another driver pulls the wheel either to the left or right, the likelihood of an accident increases. It is incredibly unfortunate when you are the vehicle being impacted by an over-correcting driver trying to avoid a pothole. 

Hydroplaning Is a Dangerous Result of Slick Road Surfaces

When your vehicle’s tires lose traction with the road surface, hydroplaning can easily occur. Your tires need traction with the roadway surface in order to move your vehicle where you want it to go. Instead, in a hydroplaning situation, the vehicle’s tires try to futilely grip the water on the road’s surface. Whether it is you or another vehicle, hydroplaning can lead to life-changing motor vehicle accidents. 

As you travel on area roads this spring, be sure to maintain direct control over your vehicle. As in, do not put your vehicle on cruise control. This is true even if you are on a long-distance trip and have no vehicles in your vicinity. Pay attention to the road, weather conditions, and any other factor that could impact you and your vehicle. Consider also getting a check-up on your vehicle before easing the front tires onto a road or highway this spring. 

Finally, if you are in a skid after hydroplaning, you must be able to turn into the skid. Our instinct as a driver is to try and turn away from the skid. However, this is the exact wrong thing to do. Instead, consider turning the wheel towards the hazard in hopes of avoiding it. Turning the vehicle into the skid dramatically increases your ability to avoid an accident. 

If you were not able to avoid an accident, do not give up. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., offers free of charge consultations where you can discuss your injuries, the legal process, and any other questions that you may have. 

Allergies and the Medication Used to Treat Them

Pollen is a frequent visitor in and around Philadelphia during the spring months. Certainly, this is not something that you can significantly impact. However, you can take steps to minimize your chances of being injured in an accident by following these tips aimed at reducing pollen’s impact on area roadways. 

With pollen filling the air and nostrils of Philadelphians, it is crucial to be alert on the roads. Keep in mind that motorists using medications may be less alert, drowsy, or even fumbling for a tissue while on the road. If your eyes are not too busy watering from airborne irritants, you should keep an eye out for hazards, rough patches on roads, and drivers who may not be operating their vehicles at their best. 

Construction Zones Mean Watching Out for Workers on City Streets and Roads

The reality for cities in cold-weather climates is that we do not have year-round construction opportunities. When a building needs to be built or a road needs to be refurbished, it means having to wait for warmer weather. In Philadelphia, warmer weather typically returns on a consistent basis from late April to early May. As you head out onto the roads to take advantage of the nicer, warmer weather, please be aware that city, county, and state construction projects are also resuming at this time. 

First, detours may be necessary in the areas immediately surrounding the construction sites. For example, if a large building has its facade torn off and then replaced, falling debris likely will keep cars from driving around that area. Knowing what is happening in your surroundings is a part of the vigilance necessary to drive in spring. More cars on the road, combined with ongoing construction, is a recipe for accidents. By keeping both eyes on the road and being a proactive driver, you can avoid many accidents. 

Finally, one of the scariest situations a driver can find themselves in is facing the possibility of hitting a pedestrian or construction worker. Typically, speed limits prohibit driving at the posted speed in construction areas. A thirty-mile-per-hour standard speed limit may be reduced to twenty miles an hour. However, traffic fines double in construction zones, and it is good practice to heighten your awareness as you pass close to construction workers and pedestrians alike.

If you have been injured in a car accident this spring, now is the time to create a plan. Once you have received medical care, seek representation to address the injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering you’ve endured. Going through this process alone against the insurance company is not a good decision. Contact a Philadelphia car accident attorney from Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., for guidance. The longer you wait to seek care or the more mistakes you make in filing, the less you may recover. Our office offers free consultations. Contact us today and take the first step toward justice.