Black Ice Can Lead to Fatal Accidents on Texas Roads and Highways
Every year, parts of Texas experience cold weather and wintry weather conditions. When it is snowing, raining, or sleeting, drivers experience lowered visibility, slippery roads, and other unfamiliar driving conditions. Unfortunately, this frequently leads to car accidents which can cause serious injuries and fatalities.
One winter weather driving hazard is particularly dangerous because it is so difficult to spot: black ice. Earlier this year in Fort Worth, six people died in a massive 100-car pile-up because of ice on the road, and, according to one study, icy pavement contributes to 10 percent of weather-related fatalities annually and a total of over 150,000 crashes per year. Some day, artificial intelligence will replace human drivers, making driving much safer, but until then it is important to know about black ice and the dangers it poses to drivers.
What is Black Ice?
Black ice is a very thin, highly transparent sheet of ice that forms on roads when precipitation like snow or rain falls and then freezes. Black ice may also form if there is enough moisture in the air to condense and form dew or fog before the temperature drops below freezing. It is frequently found on bridges and overpasses, where circulating air under the roadway makes the road temperatures colder, as well as other shaded spots where the sun has not melted the ice. Black ice is particularly dangerous at night when visibility is limited already and the ice is very difficult to distinguish from a wet roadway.
What Should I Do if My Car Starts Sliding on Black Ice?
People often realize the existence of black ice after their car has begun sliding unpredictably on the road. Experts recommend keeping your steering wheel straight and not slamming on the brakes; rather, let your car stop as naturally as possible. Do not jerk the steering wheel back and forth to try to correct the car’s path; this can make the slippage worse.
When winter weather comes, the government has the responsibility to properly care for the roads. Sometimes, governments fail to do this because of negligence or oversight. If you have been in a car accident because a failure to maintain roads led to unsafe driving conditions, you may be able to bring a suit against the road-maintenance authority.
Contact a Comal County Car Accident Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been in a serious car accident, The Bettersworth Law Firm may be able to help. A successful lawsuit may provide you with compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, vehicle damage or replacement, and even pain and suffering. New Braunfels personal injury lawyer James S. Bettersworth provides experienced legal representation for clients injured in bad weather road accidents and our offices may be able to help you, too. Call us today at 830-443-9193 for a free consultation in-person or in a virtual meeting to learn more.
Source:
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm
https://weather.com/science/weather-explainers/news/black-ice-winter-weather-explainer
