MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER ADVICE – DRIVING IN THE FOG SAFETY TIPS
In Miami, Jonathan Perazzo, Personal Injury Lawyer and founder at the Perazzo Law Firm, understands car accidents and why/how they happen. Driving in adverse weather conditions is one of the most challenging moments that many motorists face, with many inexperienced drivers involved in accidents that result in personal injury, damages, and losses.
In this article, the Perazzo Law Firm writing staff explains driving in the fog and how to prevent accidents from happening when a motorists is faced with a foggy roadway.
When encountering an unexpected patch of fog, the first thing that a motorist must do is slow down. Slowing down is essential when driving in foggy or rainy weather conditions as it allows you to react more appropriately to any unexpected hazards up ahead. Turning on your low beams is also vital so that other vehicles, both in front of you and behind, can spot your vehicle. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, turn them on immediately. It’s important to refrain from using your high beams, as this will only serve to reflect light back to your vehicle. Since they do not enhance your visibility as the light shines directly into the fog. Thus, using high beams is useless and even dangerous.
TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WHEN ENCOUNTER A PATCH OF FOG
Firstly: Turn on your low beams and fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them. Try to avoid using hazard lights unless there is an emergency. Hazard lights are meant to be used when a vehicle is in trouble or stopped, not when in motion. Driving in foggy weather, especially heavy fog, creates the uncertainty if vehicles are moving or stopped. This uncertainty can create confusion and result in an accident.
Secondly: Slow down and increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. During fair weather, a distance of between 2 and 3 seconds is ideal. When driving in fog, it’s recommended to increase the distance between vehicles to 5-6 seconds in order to avoid an accident in the event of sudden braking.
Thirdly: Turn on the vehicles defrosters and windshield wipers in order to clear any moisture and improve visibility. It’s important to understand that humidity or moisture can cause windshields to cause glare which will make it more difficult to detect any sudden stops or a possible accident up ahead.
Fourthly: Refrain from becoming distracted when driving in foggy weather. Becoming distracted can result from using cellphones, attending to small children, looking for something inside the vehicle, smoking, etc.. Keeping your eyes and attention on the road is fundamental for avoiding accidents when driving in the fog.
Finally: Use the side road markings as a guide and never stop on the side of the road unless it is an emergency. When a vehicle is stopped on the road in dense fog, an coming vehicle may fail to spot a stopped vehicle in time and result in a collision.
There are more safety tips for driving in fog and avoiding accidents. Another safety tip may include avoiding foggy roadways by checking the local weather forecast and postponing your trip if possible.
To prevent accidents in foggy weather, the Perazzo Law Firm reminds motorists to never drive while under the influence or while using your cellphone. Drunk driving and negligent cellphone use are the top two causes for car and truck accidents in Florida.
RECENT FOG RELATED ACCIDENTS
Flagler County: The Florida Highway Patrol has reported the death of four people in three separate crashes on State Road 100. Apart from the deceased, there were two other crashes that ended in total disaster to vehicles. Dense fog is believed to be the cause of a head-on crash that occurred on State Road 100 and left three people dead. According to an ongoing investigation, it seems that the drivers of the vehicles that crashed head-on were travelling in opposite directions along the double center line and believed to be trying to pass another vehicle. However, this has yet to be confirmed. Even though all the occupants except one, who suffered fatal injuries, the impact of the head-on collision was too devastating. There was also a third crash due to the thick patches of fog on U.S. 1 and Royal Palms Parkway. According to the FHP, 74-year-old motorists lost control of her vehicle and ran off the road and rolled over. The vehicle crashed into an electric pole. The driver was not wearing her seatbelt and died.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT IN THE FOG
Following an accident which takes place in foggy weather, in Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm urges accident victims to stay in their vehicles and if possible, move the vehicle off the roadway to avoid being struck by another vehicle. Secondly, turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights and immediately contact the authorities to report the accident and any injuries to the vehicle’s occupants. It’s important to stay calm and wait for the emergency road service to arrive.
If you, a friend, or relative has been involved in an accident and suffered injuries, the Miami car accident lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm urge accident victims to call (786) LAWS-411 or contact the Perazzo Law Firm ONLINE immediately for a FREE initial consultation. It’s important to remember that car accident victims have the right to file an insurance claim for compensation to cover medical expenses and any losses stemming from the accident.
THE PERAZZO LAW FIRM – DEDICATED TO PUTTING YOUR INTERESTS FIRST!
