At least 70 percent of the nation’s roads are located in regions that receive more than five inches of snowfall each year. When the pavement is snowy or icy, vehicles are less easy to maneuver, speeds are slower, and the risk of a collision increases. Reduced visibility is another factor in collisions on snow and ice. Almost one-fourth of all weather-related vehicle collisions occur on snowy, slushy, or icy roadways, killing 1,300 people a year and injuring another 116,800 on average.
When winter arrives and the roads get icy, not only is it exceptionally easy to slide and hit another car, but it is just as easy for one accident to escalate into several more as drivers are unable to stop. It can be difficult to determine liability in motor vehicle accidents like these. While such accidents are usually at lower speeds, they can still cause real damage to vehicles and injuries to those inside.