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Black ice can be extremely dangerous, as it blends into the pavement. This makes it very difficult to detect while behind the wheel of a car and can easily lead to an accident.
If you have been involved in a car accident, we may be able to help. Call our attorneys to discuss what your case may be worth. Our Zinda Law Group attorneys have the knowledge and resources necessary to guide you through the legal process and get you the compensation you deserve. Call (800) 863-5312 to speak with a Colorado car accident attorney about your personal injury claim.
WHAT IS BLACK ICE AND WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?
Black ice is actually a term for transparent ice on the pavement. Black ice can be very dangerous, as it blends in with the black road, making it almost impossible to see while you are driving. Black ice is caused when snow is melted and then refrozen on the pavement. Black ice can also form if moisture in the air condenses, forming dew or fog, and then the temperature drops below freezing.
Black ice is commonly found on bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots on the road. Bridges and overpasses are prone to this kind of ice due to their elevation. Cold air is able to flow underneath the road’s surface, therefore lowering the pavement temperature. Shaded spots are more prone to black ice because they receive less warmth from the sun during the day.
Black ice is dangerous due to its transparency. You are unlikely to see black ice while driving down the road. Further, roadways become very slippery when black ice forms, leading to hazardous driving conditions and an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.
If you have been involved in a car accident due to black ice, contact a Colorado Zinda Law Group personal injury attorney today to discuss your unique case.
TIPS FOR DRIVING ON BLACK ICE
Black ice is extremely dangerous and difficult to see; however, there are some things you can do to drive a little more safely. Below are five tips you can take to be prepared and help avoid a car accident due to black ice:
Drive Slowly
Once the temperatures drop below freezing, it is important to drive slowly, but steadily. If you are speeding, you may find that you cannot stop once you hit a patch of invisible black ice. If you do hit ice, remove your foot from the gas as quickly as possible.
Further, you should always keep your wheel as straight as possible. If you turn your wheel while on ice, you may lose control of your vehicle. If your car begins to skid, you will want to turn into the skid, never against it. Turning against the skid may send you shooting across the road in the wrong direction.
Do Not Use Your Brakes
As previously stated, you should never use your breaks if you find yourself hitting black ice. It may feel instinctual to hit the brakes in the case of an emergency, but this is not beneficial when it comes to an ice patch. Slamming on your brakes while on black ice can easily escalate the problem and cause an accident.
Turn into the Skid
If you find yourself hitting a patch of ice, the worst thing you can do is overcorrect. Overcorrecting may make the problem more severe and send your vehicle spinning in the opposite direction. Instead, you will want to turn into the skid and refrain from slamming on the brakes. After you have found traction, you may begin to correct the direction of your vehicle.
Be Aware of What will Not Help
When dealing with snow, four-wheel drive, tire studs, and snow chains can help you drive much safer. However, this is not the case when it comes to black ice. These devices will not help you gain traction or get you out of trouble on the ice. Being aware of what will not help you may make you more prepared and force you to drive more carefully.
Pay Attention to the Temperature
Before hitting the road, always check the outside temperature. Almost every car sold today has an external temperature readout to help with this. Further, almost all phones have weather apps included. As soon as the temperature drops below freezing, you should be extra cautious while driving, as this is when black ice forms.
Paying attention to these relatively simple tips may help you avoid an accident and potential injury. However, if you are injured in a car accident due to black ice in Colorado, call an experienced Zinda Law Group personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and help you determine who may be at fault for your injuries.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT
Getting into any kind of car accident can be a traumatizing event. You may have sustained a serious physical or mental injury, and there will likely be some kind of property damage. Knowing what to do immediately following a car accident may help you stay calm and level-headed. Below are four relatively simple steps you can take after you have been involved in a car accident:
Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you should do following any motor vehicle accident is to seek medical attention. No matter how minor you believe your injuries are, it is important to always be seen by a medical professional. A doctor may be able to properly diagnose all of your injuries, including the ones you may be unaware of. Some injuries may not be immediately obvious, and it is important to always get the care you need. Further, proper documentation of all of your injuries may help you seek the maximum amount of compensation available in your personal injury claim.
Contact Law Enforcement
Next, it is important to contact local law enforcement, such as the police, to report the accident. Law enforcement will be able to investigate the cause of the accident and create an official police report. This police report may come in handy later on in your lawsuit, as it may be used to show who is at fault for the accident. For example, the police officer may determine that the accident was caused by the other driver negligently speeding while the roads were wet, hitting black ice, losing control of the vehicle, and hitting your car.
Document the Scene
After you have sought medical attention and contacted law enforcement, you should then document the scene of the accident. This includes writing down everything you can remember about how the accident occurred. Your memory may fade by the time your case goes to trial, so try and write down everything you can, right away.
You should also take pictures of the entire scene. This includes any injuries, property damage, as well as the area surrounding the scene. These pictures may come in handy later on during negotiations or in your trial.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Lastly, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney. Zinda Law Group personal injury attorneys have the skills and knowledge necessary to help you with every aspect of your black ice accident lawsuit. We may be able to help investigate your case, determine the at-fault party, negotiate on your behalf, and fight for you in court if a favorable settlement cannot be made.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
The statute of limitations is the legal time limit you have to file a claim. This time limit will vary from case to case and from state to state, so it is important to speak with an attorney in your area before filing any kind of lawsuit.
In Colorado, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit for a personal injury case. However, when the personal injury claim involves motor vehicles, the statute of limitations is lengthened to three years. This means you have three years from the date of your accident to file a claim, or you may be barred from receiving any kind of compensation for your injuries.
SPEAK WITH A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN COLORADO TODAY
Zinda Law Group’s Colorado attorneys understand that car accidents can be extremely traumatizing. Fortunately, you do not have to face this difficult time alone. Our knowledgeable attorneys are here to help you and your family through the entire legal process. We may review your case, determine who is at fault, and may help get you the maximum amount of compensation available in your unique car accident lawsuit.
Further, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not have to cover expensive legal fees on top of your hefty medical bills. We will cover all legal fees upfront. You do not pay us a dime unless we are able to get you compensation in your lawsuit.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a motor vehicle accident, contact us today. Call a Colorado Zinda Law Group personal injury attorney today at (800) 863-5312 to schedule your free consultation.
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