New Jersey residents are just beginning to dig themselves out of the two feet of snow dumped into some regions of the Garden State. This winter storm wreaked havoc over the region and caused at least three deaths thus far.
As the residents struggle to emerge from the ice and snow left behind by the severe weather, it’s a good idea to remember that winter driving hazards still affect motorists.
Deadly conditions remain after snow moves out
Even as the snow melts, it creates conditions for other road hazards to emerge. One potentially deadly hazard is black ice. The sun warms road surfaces just enough for ice and snow to start to melt. But once the sun sets, subfreezing temps return that cause portions of the road to refreeze.
Black ice then forms that is typically indistinguishable from the surfaces of streets and highways. Motorists hit these hidden icy spots and risk skidding into ditches or worse — oncoming traffic.
Other dangers from black ice
Truckers at the wheels of semitrucks are at heightened risk of catastrophic jackknife accidents when encountering black ice on interstates and highways. These dangerous wrecks can threaten truckers’ lives, as well as the lives of drivers and passengers in adjacent vehicles on the roads.
Icy conditions are a leading cause of highway pile-up accidents. These chain reaction crashes can lead to severe injuries and deaths from catastrophic high-speed collisions of multiple cars and trucks slamming into one another.
Were you seriously injured in a winter accident?
If so, your first concerns must focus on getting treatment and therapy for the injuries you suffered. But don’t overlook the importance of filing a claim for damages. Timely submission of these claims preserves your right to seek compensation for your injuries, losses and other damages.