ADVICE TO PROPERLY WINTERIZE YOUR
VEHICLE AND REDUCE RISK AND LIABILITY
It’s
that time of year again when we should start thinking about winterizing our
vehicles. Attorney Douglas V. Stoehr
would like to offer a few tips that will help with this process.
- Check your tires - You should always check to make sure your tires are fully inflated to manufacturer’s specifications. Usually this information is on the inside the driver’s side door.
- Check your brakes - A mechanic should be able to do an evaluation of the brake pads and braking system to ensure that they are working properly
- Check your fluid levels - You should always check your oil, windshield washer fluid, and transmission fluid. However, you should also be aware of your coolant levels.
- Check your battery - A battery that is not working properly may result in you being stranded this winter.
- Check your windshield wipers - If your windshield wipers are not properly clearing the windshield you may have an obstructed view of what’s ahead.
- Put together an emergency kit containing a cell phone, a heavy blanket, gloves, salt/sand, a flashlight, water and non-perishable food.
Now that you have properly
winterized your vehicle we would like to offer some advice to prevent an accident
from occurring. You should always decrease your speed and
leave at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of
you. Remember to brake gently to avoid
skidding, and to use low gears to keep traction on hills. Remember to keep your lights and windshield clean
to increase visibility. Be particularly
careful on bridges and overpasses, which will freeze first. You should never pass snow plows because it’s
likely that the road in front of the trucks is much worse than the road behind
them. Of course, the best tip is, if you don’t have
to travel in winter weather…DON’T!
However, despite our best efforts
sometimes an accident is unavoidable. If
an accident does occur it’s important to know that Pennsylvania is a
comparative negligence state. Comparative
negligence simply means that if your negligence contributed to the accident
your damages will then be reduced by the amount of your negligence. So please take every precaution to decrease
the chances of contributing to an accident, and properly prepare your vehicle
and yourself for the conditions ahead.
Some preventative maintenance and
exercising a little caution can go a long way in preventing an accident from
occurring in the first place, and protecting you from liability. However, if you are injured in a vehicle
accident this winter please allow either Attorney Douglas V. Stoehr or Attorney
Aaron M. Ling to review your claim
.
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