Winter can be a treacherous time for truck drivers. Inclement weather creates slippery road conditions and limits visibility, increasing your risk of getting into an accident. While it’s important to contact an attorney if you do get hurt on the job, the following tips will help ensure you’re driving as safely as possible.

How Truckers Can Stay Safe on the Road This Winter

1. Carry an Emergency Kit

Keep a kit in your truck containing items you might need if the vehicle breaks down, such as water, snacks, blankets, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. It should also include tools to help you manage the effects of the weather, including snow scrapers, extra tire chains, and windshield wiper fluid. A bag of sand or salt is also helpful for providing traction if your truck skids and needs to be pushed to safety. 

2. Go Slow

Icy roads reduce the traction of your tires, which means you’ll need more time to stop safely. Make lane changes gently and increase the space between you and other vehicles. If you end up getting in a truck accident while speeding, you could be held liable and not receive compensation.

3. Beware of Black Ice

Black ice is a thin coat that develops on the surface of a roadway. Because it’s transparent, it takes on the color of the road and becomes very difficult to see.

Black ice forms most commonly at night or in the early morning, when the temperatures are at their lowest. It’s important to be extra cautious when driving during these times, as well as when driving above and below bridges and overpasses, which often have this type of accumulation.

If you end up getting involved in a truck accident while on the job, the attorneys at Henry & Williams P.C. in West Plains, MO, will help. With more than 60 years of experience, this personal injury firm is well-versed in federal and state trucking regulations and will help you get the compensation you deserve. They’re known for seeing settlements through to the end and never charge a penny unless you win. Visit their website to learn more about their work with trucking injuries, or call (417) 256-8133 to schedule a complimentary consultation with an attorney today.