Snow, ice, sleet, and freezing rain can wreak havoc no matter where you live in the Garden State. High winds make all of the inclement weather even worse, pulling down tree branches and power lines. There is a law in effect that requires all motorists who live or work in New Jersey for ice and snow removal from their vehicles before hitting the roads during or after a winter storm in an effort to prevent an NJ snow accident.
Remove Ice and Snow Before You Go
The law in New Jersey requires all drivers to remove ice and snow before you go. In particular, snow and ice should be removed from the hood, roof, and windows. Don’t be one of those drivers who clears a tiny spot on the windshield so you can see out while driving and leave the rest of the vehicle covered. This will only prevent you from having peripheral vision, could cause an accident, and could lead to you being issued a ticket for NJ snow removal failure.
For every offense you face fines ranging from $25 to $75. The fine doesn’t take into account whether or not ice or snow flies off the vehicle while it is in motion. An officer can simply spot you driving with the vehicle covered in snow or ice and issue you a ticket. If snow or ice flies off your vehicle and causes an NJ snow accident or damage, you could face fines ranging from $200 to $1,000 per NJ snow removal offense.
The Dangers of Snow and Ice on Moving Vehicles
It’s not uncommon for an NJ snow accident to be caused by snow and ice flying off moving vehicles. When drivers do not perform NJ snow removal from their vehicles it can fly off when in motion. That can potentially cause whiteout conditions for the vehicles traveling behind them. When whiteout conditions occur they can lead to serious accidents, including multi-vehicle pile ups on all types of roads.
NJ snow removal issues can be deadly, especially when driving on an overpass. If a chunk of ice flies off a vehicle and lands on a vehicle underneath an overpass, it could cause serious injuries and even death. Tractor trailers and buses are not exempt to the NJ snow removal law. All types of vehicles must follow this law.
Pedestrians are susceptible to serious injuries when vehicles covered in snow and ice pass them on the street. Flying ice from a vehicle that strikes a pedestrian can be deadly. To make matters worse, if a vehicle swerves to avoid snow or ice blowing off another vehicle, it could wind up striking a pedestrian or another vehicle.
Injured in an Accident Caused by Snow or Ice? Call a Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you were injured in an NJ snow accident because another driver had an NJ snow removal failure, it’s in your best interest to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
You can recover damages for the NJ snow accident that left you injured. Call the office of James C. DeZao, P.A., at F:P:Sub:Phone} to schedule a consultation today.