It’s the stuff you see in movies – travelers driving along a snow-covered road are involved in a car crash that leaves them stuck in the middle of nowhere in below-freezing weather conditions. On top of the possibility of injuries caused by the crash, the crash victims must deal with surviving the brutal weather.
How Cold Can Increase the Danger
Even a short exposure to the weather can cause serious problems in very cold conditions. Hypothermia can cause major body parts to stop functioning and can eventually be fatal. It can often sneak up on someone not looking for the signs, including shivering, slurred speech, confusion and poor decision-making, loss of coordination, and fatigue. Frostbite is another potential danger and typically affects exposed body areas such as fingers, toes, ears, and the nose. It happens when blood fails to circulate in those areas and can lead to frozen body tissue and, in the worst cases, amputation of the affected areas.
Other issues arise during periods of extreme cold that can affect injured passengers. Emergency services can often be strained during very cold weather. The weather may create hazardous road conditions that slow response times, so it takes longer for EMTs and other emergency vehicles to arrive at the scene. And even when the crash is not serious, extreme weather can sometimes cause vehicles to malfunction, stranding occupants who might otherwise be able to drive to safety or start the vehicle and take advantage of the heating system.
Plan for the Worst with an Emergency Kit
Keeping an emergency kit in your car is a good idea, especially when winter is approaching. It can include blankets, emergency flashlights and road beacons, extra batteries, disposable hand warmers, a first-aid kit, a portable shovel, and a pre-charged jump starter or jumper cables.
Contact Campson & Campson if You’ve Been Injured in a Crash
Whether or not you’ve been stranded in dangerously cold weather as a result of a car crash, if you’ve been injured in a crash and have questions about your rights, contact attorney Paul J. Campson to learn more about how he and the Campson & Campson firm can help you recover what you’re entitled to under the law. Paul J. Campson has decades of experience representing clients involved in motor vehicle crashes in New York City and New York State, and he can help you understand your situation and what you may be entitled to, whether it’s reimbursement of medical expenses and lost wages or compensation for pain and suffering. Call attorney Campson today at (212) 302-1180, or contact Campson & Campson online to set up a no-cost consultation.