Staying Safe on Icy Roads: What to Do After a Winter Car Accident
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Winter in Northeast Ohio brings beauty — but also unpredictable and hazardous driving conditions.
When snow, sleet, and black ice cover the roads, even the most experienced drivers can find themselves sliding, losing control, or involved in a collision.
Unfortunately, winter weather contributes to thousands of crashes across the state every year, many of which occur suddenly and without warning.
If you’re ever involved in a winter car accident, knowing what to do in those first moments can make all the difference for your safety, your recovery, and your legal rights. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help keep you protected.
1. Prioritize Safety First
After an icy-road accident, the scene can be chaotic — especially if visibility is low or other drivers are also struggling to stop. Your first priority is ensuring your safety and the safety of your passengers.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
If your vehicle is operable, move it to a safe location away from traffic if possible.
Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
Set out flares or reflective triangles if you have them and it’s safe to do so.
If anyone is injured or the vehicles cannot be safely moved, call 911 right away.
2. Call Law Enforcement
Winter-weather collisions often involve multiple vehicles, unclear fault, or road conditions that complicate the scene. A police report is essential.
Law enforcement can:
Document the conditions
Collect statements
Help determine contributing factors
File an official report needed for insurance claims or legal action
Even if the damage seems minor, a report protects you later if injuries develop or disputes arise.
3. Document the Scene Thoroughly
Icy-road accidents can be caused by a combination of factors — and the more information you gather, the stronger your case will be if you need to file a claim.
Take photos or videos of:
Damage to all vehicles
Road conditions (snow, slush, ice patches, unplowed areas)
Skid marks or lack of skid marks
Weather (fog, snowfall, low visibility)
Traffic signs or signals nearby
Any injuries
If witnesses are present, ask for their names and contact information.
4. Exchange Information — Carefully
Exchange standard information with the other driver(s):
Name and contact details
Insurance company and policy number
Vehicle make, model, and license plate
Keep the conversation brief and avoid admitting fault, even casually. Accidents on snow and ice are complex, and fault is not always clear in the moment.
5. Seek Medical Attention, Even If You Feel “Fine”
Adrenaline can mask injuries — a common issue after winter accidents. Conditions such as whiplash, concussions, or soft-tissue injuries may not appear until hours or days later.
Prompt medical care:
Protects your health
Creates documentation connecting injuries to the accident
Strengthens your claim if you pursue compensation
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident as soon as possible. Provide the facts, but avoid speculation.
If you’re unsure how to communicate with your insurer after a winter crash, an attorney can help prevent you from making statements that may work against you.
7. Understand How Ohio Law Handles Winter Accidents
Drivers are required to maintain control of their vehicle — even in winter weather. However, factors such as poorly maintained roads, negligent driving by others, or sudden ice patches (“black ice”) can contribute to a collision.
A personal injury attorney can help determine:
Whether another driver was negligent
Whether a municipality or property owner may share liability (e.g., poor plowing or untreated surfaces)
Whether you’re entitled to compensation for medical bills, repairs, lost wages, or pain and suffering
8. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for Guidance
Navigating the aftermath of an icy-road accident can be overwhelming — especially when injuries or insurance disputes arise. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, communicate with insurers, gather evidence, and pursue the compensation you're entitled to.
Lipson O’Shea Legal Group Is Here to Help This Winter
If you’ve been injured in a winter car accident, you don’t have to navigate it alone. The attorneys at Lipson O’Shea Legal Group have decades of experience helping Northeast Ohio residents recover physically, financially, and emotionally after cold-weather collisions.
We’re here to stand by your side — and help you move forward.
