Tips for Driving on Icy Roads

Tips for Driving on Icy Roads

According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 70% of the roads in the United States are located in snowy areas. About 900 people are killed every year in car accidents during the snowy season. The best tip to avoid driving in dangerous, icy conditions is to avoid driving altogether. But, unfortunately, that option is not always possible. Here are some more realistic tips that can help avoid a car accident while driving on icy roads.

To begin with, it’s always best to avoid driving until snow is plowed. It’s also a good idea to plan extra time to get to your destination in case you come across any issues as well as to avoid any added stress while driving. Before driving, make sure your tires have been well-maintained. It’s important to check your tires for air, sidewall wear and tread depth. In case you do have to deal with a problem, it’s best to keep a survival kit on hand at all times. Keep spare tires, a wheel wrench, a tripod jack, shovel, jumper cables, a bag of salt, a tool kit, a first aid kid, flashlights with extra batteries, brightly colored clothing, ice scrapers and wool items like a blanket in your car.

Decreasing your speed and leaving enough room between you and the car in front of you (3x the usual space between) could help prevent a car accident. Also, brake gently when driving and make sure your lights are on no matter what time of day it is. In the event that your car does start to skid due to icy conditions there are methods you can use to control the situation. First, make sure not to panic and don’t press on the accelerator or brakes.  Next, steer in the direction that the rear of your car is sliding. Most importantly, remain calm.

If you have been involved in a car accident after driving on icy or snowy roads, contact Motor City Accident Attorneys. If you live in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, Motor City Accident Attorneys can help by fighting for your rights and getting you the maximum compensation you deserve. You can reach Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Don’t forget to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and join the conversation at #MCAA!

Protecting Your Pets in the Winter

Protecting Your Pets in the Winter

Cold weather affects us all in different ways. Some people wear two layers, some people need five. Unfortunately, pets are among the ones who are affected the most during the wintertime. Neglecting to properly protect them during the colder season could be fatal. Here you will find several tips that will help keep your pets safe during the wintertime. 

First, it’s important to know how sensitive pets can be to the drastic change in weather. Whether it’s a dog, a cat, or a lizard, pets need to be cared for just as much as their human counterparts. For example, dogs and cats paws are extremely sensitive to salt and other chemicals –especially ones used to melt snow and ice like antifreeze so it’s important to wipe their paws, stomach, and legs with a damp towel to make sure they don’t lick themselves and cause an irritation. Just like humans, pets can get hypothermia and frostbite, most commonly in their ears. When your pet is outside, make sure they have a secluded, dry, draft-free spot to seek shelter in that is big enough so they can sit or lie down, but small enough to hold in their body heat. But of course, keeping your pets inside during the cold weather is always the best option whenever possible.

In the case of cats, specifically, a known issue is that when left outside, they seek out the warmth of cars and can get stuck or run over if the driver doesn’t realize the cat is there. To be safe, bang loudly on the hood of the car and honk the horn before turning it on and driving away. In the case of dogs, letting them off their leash is never good, especially in the winter because snow causes them to lose their scent and are more prone to getting lost. Being proactive and following these steps will go a long way in ensuring your pet stays safe during the colder season.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident this winter in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford, or any other city in Michigan, make sure you contact Motor City Accident Attorneys at 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys are experience in personal injury cases and want to stand up for your rights to ensure you get proper compensation. Don’t forget to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and join the conversation at #MCAA!

Dealing with Frostbite

Dealing with Frostbite

Wintertime can bring lots of great things like the holidays, snowmen and eggnog. Unfortunately, living in freezing cold temperatures can cause several health problems like hypothermia and frostbite. Frostbite is damage to the skin and underlying tissue (usually in the extremities like fingers, toes, ears and nose) that occurs as a result of extreme cold. Frostbite can be caused by insufficient blood circulation when your body is dealing with freezing temperatures. Factors like extreme cold, wind chill and poor clothing can lead to frostbite.

Luckily, there are many ways one can prevent frostbite. Wearing mittens instead of gloves keeps your fingers warmer which is important because fingers and toes are the most susceptible to frostbite. Wearing more thin layers rather than a few thicker layers of clothing helps as well. It’s also important to make sure any boots or shoes you’re wearing aren’t too tight as that will affect circulation. Wearing hats, waterproof shoes and dry clothes are a must. Seeking shelter during a storm or extreme levels of cold are important. If children are playing outside during the cold, bring them inside to a warm environment for a few minutes every hour. If left out in the cold too long, trouble could brew. One lesser known fact is that drinking alcohol and cigarette smoking can increase the body’s vulnerability to the cold –so staying away from those activities could go a long way in preventing frostbite.

If you have been in the cold for a long time, check your extremities for signs of frostbite. The first signs are reddish skin and experiencing a painful sensation. If this occurs and you do have frostbite, it’s important to get in touch with a doctor or go to the ER. If possible, before heading to the doctor or ER, try to restore warmth and bandage the affected area.

If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of a car accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN now! Motor City Accident Attorneys will help you get your life back by fighting for your rights and getting you proper compensation for your injuries. You can follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and join the conversation at #MCAA.

Preparing Your Car For The Winter

Preparing Your Car For The Winter

This winter has been one of record lows all over the country. When living in a cold environment it’s important to maintain areas of your home and vehicles in order to protect them from damage. Many people underestimate the damage that cold weather can have on cars. Cold weather can drain your battery, freeze your fuel lines and crack the engine block of your car. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this type of damage from happening, even if it’s freezing out!

If your car fails to turn on, it could be due to a frozen gas line. Frozen gas lines happen when your car is low on gas and is left outside in freezing cold temperatures for a long period of time. To avoid this, keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. Cold temperatures can also drain a car battery if it’s older so checking your battery is important as well. Antifreeze is something you should have packed at all times. Engine blocks can crack if there’s too much water or not enough antifreeze, so making it a priority is a must!

Did you know that using your parking brake when it’s cold out can cause it to freeze in the position you left it? Try to not use your parking break unless you absolutely have to and if you do, know that there is a risk you won’t be able to move when you’re ready to drive again. De-icer’s that you can get practically anywhere are good to have with you at all times as well, just in case your vehicles doors or locks get frozen.

One of the most important things to remember to do when dealing with a car in freezing weather is to warm it up. To be safe, turn your car on and warm it up for at least 5 minutes before driving. This method gets your oil moving through the engine, preparing it for the upcoming drive. These tips may sound trivial, but you’ll surely regret not taking it seriously when your car suddenly doesn’t start.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, contact Motor City Accident Attorneys! Motor City Accident Attorneys want to help you get your life back after an accident by getting you the compensation you deserve depending on your situation. Motor City Accident Attorneys team of experienced and aggressive network attorneys can fight for your rights and help you through this troubled time. You can contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and join the conversation at #MCAA.