3 Common Accident Injuries After a Snowstorm

 

Snowstorms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, wind, and heavy snow and ice. These conditions are all hazardous, but the danger does not end right after the storm passes.

Accident injuries become common in the days after a snowstorm. Learn more about three common accident injuries after a snowstorm and how to avoid them.

1. Car Accident Injuries

Many drivers are anxious about driving after a snowstorm. Road conditions are markedly unsafe — slick, black ice and reduced visibility are prime components for a motor vehicle accident.

Spin-out collisions, rear-end collisions, rollovers, and lane drifting accidents frequently happen in winter. Some of the injuries you can suffer in a car accident include:

●     Soft tissue injuries (damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons)

●     Whiplash

●     Head injuries (concussions, brain damage)

●     Chest injuries (broken ribs, internal injuries)

●     Arm and leg injuries (bruises, scrapes, sprains, breaks)

●     Loss of life

To avoid car accidents after a snowstorm, stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. On the road, practice defensive driving techniques — drive slowly, avoid abrupt movements, maintain ample space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Take into account that your travel time will be longer and give yourself enough time to reach your destination without rushing.

2. Slip and Fall Injuries

The snow and ice that blanket sidewalks, driveways, roads, parking lots, stairs, and other areas can turn them into a hazard for pedestrians. These slippery surfaces contribute to thousands of slip and fall injuries across the United States every year. Some of the common results of a slip and fall are:

●     Back injuries

●     Ankle fractures

●     Wrist fractures

●     Hip fractures

●     Head injuries

Most slip and fall injuries are minor and can be treated by rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE method). However, a minor fall for a younger person can be severe for an older adult, especially for those over 65, as their bones are more fragile. Seek medical care as early as possible, especially if you experience a loss of consciousness, headache, nausea, or disorientation after the fall.

To avoid slip and fall injuries, be mindful of how you walk. Wear shoes with decent traction and take small, slow steps with slightly bent knees. Keep your hands extended to your sides (instead of in your pockets) to maintain balance and support yourself on handrails or walls wherever possible. Protect yourself further with cleats designed to be worn over your shoes for additional traction and grip.

If you do feel yourself about to fall, tuck your chin down to avoid hitting your head when falling backward and keep your body as relaxed as possible to absorb the impact better. Trying to catch yourself with your hands can cause you to sprain your arms and wrists.

3. Workplace Injuries

During winter, those who work outdoors, such as first responders, recreational workers, construction workers, and snow cleanup crews, are vulnerable to exposure. Some injuries or health conditions that become common after a snowstorm include:

●     Back and neck injuries from snow shoveling

●     Heart attacks from overexerting in cold weather (performing strenuous work like shoveling snow or using a snowblower)

●     Hypothermia and frostbite from prolonged exposure to cold

●     Carbon monoxide poisoning from fume-producing equipment in enclosed spaces (vehicles, portable heaters, furnaces)

Get the Assistance of Experienced Accident Injury Lawyers

Even when you take proper precautions, accidents can still catch you off-guard. If you or a loved one has been injured in a snowstorm accident, especially as a result of someone else’s negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation. Make your recovery journey easier by entrusting the process of filing a personal injury claim to Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers. Our team of experienced Connecticut injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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