Most Common Causes of Winter Vehicle Accidents

Dec 31, 2025 - Car Accidents, Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day can be particularly treacherous on the road. Statistics show a particular rise in fatal car accidents. Road conditions can be dangerous. Many people travel on unfamiliar roads to see family and friends, and often alcohol is involved in these gatherings. Add to this unpredictable weather conditions, and bad things can happen. So be prepared, plan ahead, and protect yourself.

Among the top causes of winter road accidents are the following:

• Visibility Issues: Icy or snow-covered windows can reduce visibility for drivers. Before you get on the road, wipe down your windshield, windows, and mirrors. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition; otherwise, visibility will be impaired when driving through rain, snow, or icy conditions.
• Tailgating: Tailgating is a major cause of winter road accidents. If you are following too closely to the car in front of you and need to quickly slam or pump your brakes because you’ve hit a wet or icy patch, a rear-end collision is the likely result. 
• Mechanical Problems: If you fail to keep your car properly maintained, you may encounter issues that can lead to winter road accidents. Faulty brakes and bald tires are prime culprits. Before you head out, check that there is adequate tire tread on your front and back tires. Check your spare tire as well. 
• Invisible Ice: It’s often hard to spot a patch of ice, which can spin your car out of control or force you into oncoming traffic. Pay attention to road conditions and, if possible, listen to the local weather report. It’s also important to drive defensively. Many drivers on the road aren’t paying the attention that they should to winter road conditions. 
• Hydroplaning: Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle rides on a patch of water instead of on the ground. To avoid hydroplaning, take your foot off the accelerator, avoid sudden steering movements, and let the car coast back onto the road.

What to Do If You Are Involved in An Accident

If, despite being aware of the dangers of winter driving, you are still involved in an accident, it is important to take the following steps.

• First, check that all involved people — you, your passengers, the driver, and passengers of any other vehicles, and any pedestrians — are not suffering from any injuries. This is the first priority. If there is any indication of medical issues, call an ambulance to the scene. Often, whiplash and other soft tissue injuries do not show up right away, so it is important to be attentive to how you are feeling for some time after an accident.
• Second, contact the local police, who will take the information and start the investigation process.
• Third, exchange pertinent information such as names, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance companies.
• Fourth, take photos, if possible, of the scene, the weather, the relative location of the vehicles, and the damage sustained. Try to be as detailed as possible in your documentation of the scene and your recollections of the accident.

You will likely be asked by the local police to provide a statement and perhaps draw a diagram to explain the situation as you understand it. Be factual, but do not speculate on fault. Never leave the scene of an accident without an accident report. Be sure to contact your insurance company and provide them with all the pertinent information. 

What’s Next?

Car accidents are generally the result of driver negligence. Distracted driving – which can happen when a driver texts, talks on the phone, or takes their eyes off the road to look at a landscape or other distraction – is a primary cause of vehicle accidents. Driving under the influence, mechanical failures, and bad weather conditions also play major roles.  

All Alabama drivers are required to carry insurance, which is good news. Even if a driver doesn’t have the insurance required by law, the uninsured motorists’ coverage in your own policy will likely pay for damages you sustain. But the corresponding bad news is that these limits are extremely low. Minimum liability coverage stands at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, with $25,000 for property damage. 

These minimums are often woefully inadequate for serious accidents, making excess uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage critical to protecting your family.

What if you want to bring a lawsuit because you feel you are owed more compensation than the insurance company offers you? Unfortunately, there is more bad news. Alabama’s legal framework for car accidents differs significantly from other states, creating unique challenges and opportunities for accident victims.  Our state’s contributory negligence doctrine is a punishing rule, barring recovery if you bear even only 1% fault for the accident. 

This harsh standard encourages insurance companies to exploit victims of car accidents, seeking any evidence suggesting that the accident was caused, even if only in a small part, by the victim. In light of this, thorough documentation and aggressive legal representation are essential. Understanding how to counter these tactics can mean the difference between full compensation and walking away with nothing. An aggressive Tuscaloosa car accident attorney can help you with the best path forward. 

Contact Cross & Smith, LLC

Here at Cross & Smith, LLC, we are driven by a strong commitment to ensuring you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. Our multimillion-dollar verdicts are the result of our experience, dedication, and thoroughness. Vehicle accidents can literally ruin a person’s life, and we don’t take that lightly. We care about our clients and fair compensation. Whether we are engaged in representing you in a medical malpractice case or a wrongful death case, we work our hardest for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.