Do you live in the state of Mississippi? Do you often find yourself on the road when the weather takes a turn for the worse? If you answered yes to both questions, you need to know the things you can do to improve your safety.
Here are several things you can do to avoid trouble when driving in strong winds:
— Keep both hands on the wheel. This may not sound important, but you never know when a gust could hit your vehicle. With both hands on the wheel, it’s much easier to maintain control of your vehicle, thus reducing the risk of an accident.
— Anticipate strong gusts. You should know that strong gusts will hit your vehicle at some point. This is why you need to keep both hands on the wheel, slow down and keep your distance from other vehicles.
— Keep an eye on large vehicles. Did you know that high profile vehicles, such as commercial trucks and buses, have a more difficult time driving in strong winds? As a general rule of thumb, leave as much space as possible between your vehicle and these types.
— Slow down. Driving fast in strong winds increases the likelihood of losing control if a gust hits your vehicle. You may be in a hurry, but you should slow your vehicle until the weather passes.
— Pull to the side of the road. If the wind is entirely too strong and you don’t feel safe continuing forward, move your car to safety and wait for the weather to pass. This may not be something you want to do, but your safety should always come first.
As you take these steps to remain safe in strong winds, other drivers may not change their approach. Instead, they continue to drive as if the conditions are perfect.
If another driver strikes your vehicle, such as because they are driving reckless in inclement weather, pull to safety and call for help. You need to receive immediate medical attention for all your injuries.
Once you understand your injuries and treatment strategy, you can turn your attention to your legal rights. If another driver was responsible for causing the crash, you may be able to file a lawsuit as to receive compensation for your injuries.