At Byers Chiropractic and Massage: Car Accident Urgent Care, we specialize in treating car accident injuries. Patients come to us for treatment after being involved in an auto accident. Unfortunately, winter-time is when many accidents occur because of a variety of factors. This article will go over some of the causes of accidents in the winter. The truth is that while roads are foggy, icy, or snowy, it can be dangerous to drive.
In America alone, around 2000 people die every year because of winter car accidents, while over 135,000 people are injured. Rightfully so, many people don’t trust others to be able to drive safely on the road during the winter. Some of the factors that can make winter driving more dangerous include heavy rain or snow, thick fog, wet or icy roads, more people traveling for the holidays, unsafe or reckless behaviors, and a lack of education about winter driving safety.
When it’s raining or snowing outside (or sleeting, which is a mix between the two), drivers on the road can have their vision obscured. When the rain or snow is heavy, visibility is even lower. Because it’s colder in the winter, precipitation is more likely to occur. Not only can actually falling raindrops and snowflakes make it difficult to see, but once they hit the road they can cause other dangers. Rain and snow can make the road incredibly slippery. Wet and snowy roads increase the amount of distance and time it takes for a driver to come to a stop. It also reduces tire traction on the road. It’s important that drivers slow down in the winter when there are rainy or snowy conditions so that they don’t lose control of their vehicle and get into an accident.
Ice forming on the roads can also cause them to be slippery. Because it gets colder during the night, mornings and evenings are when drivers should be especially cautious about potential ice. Sometimes black ice can form, which is a transparent coating of ice on the road. It’s nearly invisible to people driving. Black ice is the cause of many car accidents in the winter. If a person can’t see the ice, they might not properly adjust to the road conditions and their vehicle could slide dangerously. Fog is another weather condition that can make it difficult for drivers to see. Thick fog can make it difficult to see the road right in front of you. To make things worse, when headlights are used in fog, the light can bounce off of the water droplets in the air and make visibility even worse.
Although many people avoid driving in the winter because of dangerous road conditions, others drive to travel and visit friends and family for the holidays. People also travel to the stores to buy gifts and supplies for making meals and hosting parties. This means that there could be more traffic on the roads, especially near airports or shopping districts. The more dense the traffic is on the road, the more likely it is that an accident could happen. This is because there is more chance for vehicles to interact with each other and potentially crash. More traffic also means that people will be closer to other vehicles, which means any sudden stop could cause a fender bender.
It’s no secret that winter is a stressful time for many people. This can translate to distracted, reckless, and negligent driving. If someone is in a rush to get to the store before it closes, or to get home from work as soon as possible, they may make poor decisions on the road. Speeding is more likely to cause accidents when weather conditions on the road are already hazardous. If someone is already stressed, the heightened traffic the holidays bring can cause them to make aggressive and unsafe decisions. An example of aggressive behavior is following too closely or not allowing other drivers to merge.
Another factor to consider is that many people are inexperienced with driving in snowy and icy weather. They might not know what tires to have on their vehicle in the winter, or have brakes that won’t work on icy roads. It’s important that people stay educated about winter driving safety. If they aren’t, then they could put themself and others at risk. People especially at risk of not knowing how to navigate the roads in winter are people that moved from a warmer climate recently, and young drivers.
If you were involved in a car accident this winter, it’s important that you get examined by a medical professional. Byers Chiropractic and Massage: Car Accident Urgent Care’s clinic can diagnose any car accident injuries you may be suffering from, and create a custom treatment plan for you. Some types of injuries people suffer from car accidents are not apparent right away. The adrenaline and shock from an accident may mask symptoms, especially ones from soft tissue injuries.
Whiplash is one of the conditions we most often treat at our clinic, and it’s very common for people to suffer from it after being in a car accident. Although whiplash is not usually a serious injury, it can cause unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, stiffness, and pain. Receiving spinal adjustments from a chiropractor, along with massage therapy, can ease your symptoms and help you heal faster.
Another condition that car accident victims may suffer from is back and neck pain. There are many muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues in the neck and back area that may get stretched or even torn from a car accident. These injuries can cause pain and other issues. Another cause of back and neck pain from accidents is spinal misalignment, which can be caused by car accidents. Many car accident victims end up experiencing migraines as well. Neck and back injuries can affect the blood flow to your brain, as well as tense up muscles, causing migraines.
If you were in a car accident and are experiencing stiffness, pain, or other symptoms, reach out to Byers Chiropractic and Massage: Car Accident Urgent Care. We specialize in treating car accident injuries. We can help you feel better and so you can get back to your usual life. We will put together a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.