Indianapolis residents got a belated Christmas present from St. Nicholas on Tuesday when central Indiana received a healthy dose of wet snow. Indy Star. 
While peaceful and pleasing to the eye during the holidays, snow and cold temperatures are a recipe for disaster on the road. Ice, sleet, snow, and freezing rain contribute to more than their fair share of auto accidents in the winter months. The best way to avoid accidents is by practicing safe driving habits that respect the more perilous conditions. The Batesky Law Office would like to offer a few helpful reminders for Indianapolis drivers during the winter season:
1. SLOW DOWN!
2. Low Visibility and Headlights - Precipitation, whether snow or freezing rain, greatly hinders a driver's ability to see through the windshield and down the roadway. Every driver should make sure that the vehicle's headlights are on during precipitation, but be careful not to turn on your vehicle's "Brights" or "high-beams". Regular headlights help you see through the snow and to be seen by others, but too much light actually highlights the obstruction in your view and blinds other drivers on the road. When it comes to driving through snow with your lights on, too much of a good thing can become VERY dangerous.
3. Driving Predictably - You are only one car on the road, but you are one car among thousands of other cars. Therefore, you should consider how your driving habits affect other drivers on the road to avoid a collision. Make sure that other drivers can understand your behavior on the road. For instance, if you need to change lanes or turn, use a turn signal. Also, if you are needing to slow down, start breaking well before the place at which your vehicle needs to be fully stopped. Quick breaking can be dangerous because other drivers might not be able to see your break lights in time, or they may be unable to slow down as quickly as you did because of the poor conditions. Last but not least, know exactly where you are going and how to get there before you get in your car. Noone likes following another driver that appears to not know where he or she is going. Bottom line, uncertain and unpredictable behavior on the road leads to accidents, and accidents lead to personal injury lawsuits - trust us, we know - and no one likes a lawsuit for Christmas.
4. Worst Case Scenario - Okay, so you still got involved in an auto accident. What should you do? If you are on a busy road, and if all vehicles involved are only minimally damaged, and all occupants of the vehicles are safe, try to move over to the shoulder of the road. Also, call your insurance company to notify them about your accident. Also, you will need to call for a police officer to come check out the scene. Insurance companies generally require a police report of an accident for reimbursement. In the case of a hit-and-run or an accident with a driver who does not have insurance (this better not be you, because Indiana law requires it!), write down the license plates of all vehicles involved. You can never have too much information about a wreck.
5. If You Get Injured - Simple. Call us. The Batesky Law Office is here to help. Noone likes to be "given the run-around" by anyone, whether it is the other driver, an insurance company, or a hospital. You have already been in a wreck, so make things easier on yourself. Let us help file a personal injury claim and get the recovery you need to get back on your feet and on with your life. Don't let a car accident ruin your holidays.
For more information on driving in wintry weather and auto accidents, check out what weather.com has to say!
The Batesky Law Office has the experience you need for a successful personal injury claim. Contact us on our main page, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
You can also reach us by e-mail at rpbatesky@aol.com, by phone at (317)638-3471, or by mail to our downtown Indianapolis location.
The Batesky Law Office wishes you a Happy Holiday and Safe Driving!
Don't let this be you!
