Michigan State Police reported a massive traffic pileup on Saturday, January 10, 2015. The pileup was caused by an accident which happened Friday morning on I-94, west of Battle Creek, Michigan. Officials say that a whiteout snow storm may have been the cause of the accident. Drivers on the road were evacuated by bus due to the extreme weather conditions, according to The Detroit Free Press.
Extreme weather conditions are the main cause for many car accidents. Fog, rain, hail, and whiteouts are all hazards faced by Michigan residents. A lot of the accidents are due to the visibility of the road being impaired and the inability to brake when needed.
"On average, there are over 5,870,000 vehicle crashes each year. Twenty-three percent (23%) of these crashes—nearly 1,312,000—are weather-related," according to Road Weather statistics.
A majority of crashes also happen due to rain. Rain causes slippery roads and if the temperature is right, fog and ice can occur. And although many accidents happen due to ice and rain, strong enough winds can even cause auto accidents to occur in Michigan. During the majority of rainfalls, oil from the road rises to the top of the surface leading to less surface friction with car tires. Once a tire loses traction, it is sometimes nearly impossible to stop when trying to brake.
Water and ice can also cause structural damage to the roads and streets, including, cracks in the pavement, potholes, sometimes missing pieces of pavement, and other road obstructions. Roads in Michigan are well known to residents as already being in bad condition. After a few tough winters, a smooth ride quickly turns into a bumpy road. The best thing to always do is to always practice safe driving by maintaining a safe distance from other cars, making sure to use proper turning signals, using high beams when appropriate, and avoiding distracting actions while driving, when attention to the road is most needed.
Driving in Michigan weather can be unpredictable. If you or someone you know has ever been involved in any type of car accident resulting from extreme weather conditions such as black ice, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.