As winter weather creates treacherous driving conditions, drivers must remain vigilant to ensure their safety. However, many make avoidable mistakes that can significantly affect the outcome of an injury claim. These mistakes—ranging from speeding to failure to document the scene—can undermine your chances of receiving fair compensation after an accident. In this piece, we explore the most common winter driving mistakes that hurt injury claims and provide practical tips to help you avoid them. It’s critical to take the proper precautions and to ensure that you are aware of how these errors can impact your case, especially when working with a firm like NovaLegalGroup, P.C., which specializes in personal injury claims.
Winter driving is fraught with hazards. Whether it’s snow, ice, or poor visibility, the season presents challenges that can lead to accidents. However, what many drivers may not realize is that the way they handle these conditions can greatly influence the success of any personal injury claim that follows. Common driving mistakes, such as speeding, failing to maintain proper vehicle maintenance, or neglecting to gather important evidence, can all hurt your chances of winning a case or securing fair compensation for your injuries. If you’re involved in an accident this winter, it’s important to recognize these mistakes and take steps to prevent them from damaging your case.
At NovaLegalGroup, P.C., we’ve seen how easily these errors can affect a claim. Winter driving requires special caution and attention to detail to ensure that the accident is properly documented and all necessary steps are taken to protect your rights. Understanding the common mistakes made by drivers during winter can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
1. Not Adjusting to Road Conditions 
- One of the biggest mistakes that drivers make during winter is failing to adjust their speed and driving behavior based on the road conditions. Snow-covered roads, black ice, and sleet all demand a different level of caution and attention. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions, but winter weather alters those ideal conditions drastically.
- Driving too fast for the conditions is a primary cause of accidents in winter. Even if the posted speed limit allows for higher speeds, drivers should reduce their speed when roads are icy or when visibility is reduced.
- Not giving yourself enough stopping distance in winter conditions is another mistake that can easily lead to accidents. Stopping distances increase significantly on icy roads, and failing to adjust can result in rear-end collisions or crashes.
If you’re involved in an accident due to speeding or driving too aggressively for the conditions, insurance companies and courts may hold you partially or fully responsible for the crash. This can hurt your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve, as liability will be assigned to the driver who failed to drive safely under the circumstances.
Helping you fight back.
Whether you have been charged with a Criminal Offense, Serious Criminal Traffic Offense, or have been injured in an Accident that was not your fault, our First-Class Attorneys are not going to let you become a victim! With our experience, we will fight back, with you and for you, to get the results you deserve.
2. Failing to Keep a Safe Following Distance
- In winter driving, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. The combination of reduced traction, slippery roads, and poor visibility makes it harder to stop in time if something unexpected happens.
- Tailgating in winter is one of the most common yet avoidable mistakes. Following another vehicle too closely can prevent you from reacting to sudden stops or slowdowns in time, especially when the roads are slick.
- Increased braking distances mean that you need more room to come to a complete stop. If you’re too close to the vehicle in front of you, a sudden stop could lead to a crash.
If you fail to maintain a proper following distance in poor winter conditions and cause a rear-end collision, your injury claim could be jeopardized. Insurance companies may argue that your negligence in following too closely led to the crash. The stronger the case against you, the more difficult it will be to recover full compensation for your injuries.
We are very pleased with the outstanding legal services provided by NovaLegalGorup and specifically Josh Wilson, Esq. He handled our very complex case professionally and gave us the utmost confidence in the outcome from our first discussion. He skillfully guided us through the process and of course achieved the outcome we needed. We strongly recommend Mr. Wilson and NovaLegalGroup.”
- David & Kim
The best law firm in the area for what they do. my opinion: Service received from this Law Firm was unique and satisfactory: Spencer Reiss provides professional advice, communicates with his clients, and is very knowledgeable and experienced in the field. The rest of the staff is very friendly and does their best to get you the answers you need."
- Derek Van De Walle
Joshua Wilson and Christopher Jacob are the two attorneys that I have been working with from Nova Legal Group. I have been very impressed so far, I have absolute confidence I could not have made a better choice. I definitely recommend this firm to anyone who may require their services."
- Brian Mills
3. Neglecting Vehicle Maintenance
- Winter weather can take a toll on your vehicle. Without the proper maintenance, your car may struggle to handle icy roads and freezing temperatures, putting you at greater risk for an accident.
- Worn tires or tires with inadequate tread are particularly dangerous during winter months. Tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road, and if they’re not in good condition, you’re at a much higher risk of losing control in snowy or icy conditions.
- Frozen windshield wipers or low wiper fluid can drastically reduce your visibility during snowstorms or while driving through slush and road salt. This can make it difficult to see the road or other vehicles, leading to accidents.
If your vehicle is not properly maintained and this contributes to an accident, your injury claim could be at risk. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may argue that the accident was avoidable if you had maintained your vehicle properly. Not only could this hurt your case, but it may also leave you responsible for a larger share of the liability.
4. Failing to Document the Accident
- One of the most common mistakes people make after a winter accident is failing to properly document the scene. In any accident, it’s important to gather evidence that supports your side of the story, especially when winter weather is involved.
- Photographs of the scene showing road conditions, skid marks, or weather-related factors can be critical in demonstrating how the weather contributed to the accident.
- Witness statements can provide an unbiased account of the events leading up to the crash. Failing to get contact information from witnesses or not noting down important details can weaken your case later on.
Without sufficient evidence, your ability to prove that the winter weather was a contributing factor to the accident is greatly diminished. If you fail to document the scene properly, it could hurt your chances of recovering damages and significantly slow down the claims process.
Related Videos
Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney
Personal Injury Case Timeline
5. Not Seeking Legal Assistance Promptly
The mistakes you make in the moments following an accident can significantly affect the strength of your injury claim. However, one of the most damaging errors that people make is waiting too long to consult with a personal injury attorney.
- Time-sensitive evidence such as weather conditions and accident details can quickly disappear or become less clear with time. Having a lawyer on your side early can help preserve this evidence and prevent the loss of critical information.
- Navigating the claims process without an attorney’s help can lead to missteps that hurt your chances of fair compensation. A personal injury lawyer can ensure that all proper procedures are followed and that you are not taken advantage of by insurance companies.
If you wait too long to contact an attorney, it could delay your claim, and in some cases, result in lost evidence or missed deadlines. At NovaLegalGroup, P.C., we recommend reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. An experienced lawyer can protect your rights and help you take the necessary steps to preserve your claim.
Winter driving requires special care and attention. However, it’s the mistakes made in response to hazardous conditions that can harm your injury claim. Whether it’s failing to adjust to the weather, neglecting your vehicle’s maintenance, or not properly documenting the accident, these mistakes can drastically affect the outcome of your claim. If you’ve been injured in a winter accident, it’s important to avoid these common errors and consult with a personal injury attorney at NovaLegalGroup, P.C. as soon as possible. With the right legal help, you can ensure that your injury claim remains as strong as possible and that you receive the compensation you deserve.