Light snow might cause more car accidents than an actual snowstorm, as drivers’ perceptions do not always allow them to adjust appropriately to sudden light snow or ice on the road. Even when Nebraska drivers are being careful, they might not fully perceive the danger that a light snow dusting might cause.
According to experts, light snow or ice on the road, which are considered minor weather events, can be more dangerous than actual snowstorms. This might be due to heavier traffic on the roads as well as drivers not perceiving the danger in lowered visibility and road conditions and not adapting their driving, resulting in more auto accidents.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics for 2004 to 2013 show that in almost a quarter of all traffic accidents during that period weather was a factor, with winter conditions making up more than 40 percent of those crashes. Drivers might also not perceive the danger in slight weather changes because they are comfortable in their warm vehicles, with certain luxuries such as silent cabins and cup holders, which do not allow their brains to process the true danger on the road and therefore prevent them from making the decision to slow down and leave more following distance between cars. This type of unsafe driving in these minor weather conditions can then result in more multi-car pile-ups that could have been prevented if the drivers properly adapted to the subtle changes.
While some traffic accidents in bad weather are unavoidable, many are caused by a motorist driving too fast for the prevailing conditions. A person who has been injured in such an accident that was the result of another driver’s negligence may want to have the assistance of an attorney in filing a personal injury lawsuit that would seek compensation for medical expenses and other losses.
