Winter weather conditions can create snowy, icy, and dangerous driving conditions for drivers across the country. A 2021 report from Car Insurance Comparison showed that the winter weather death rate was 3 fatalities for every 1,000 traffic accidents in 2021. This amounts to more than 1,800 people dying every year in car crashes due to icy and snowy conditions. Winter weather driving conditions cause 33% of all weather-related traffic accidents each year, too.
Half of the worst states for fatal snow or sleet crashes are in the Midwest, and, according to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 70% of the nation’s roads are located in snowy regions that receive more than five inches of snow each year. Icy roads are the most dangerous winter weather conditions, and icy pavement causes 13% of all weather-related car crashes.
Devastating Minnesota Winter Weather Crash
On December 29th, 2021, more than 130 crashes were reported in 12 hours after sub-zero temperatures and freezing rain caused untreated roads in the Twin Cities to freeze over. Minnesota State Patrol said troopers across the state responded to 139 crashes and 110 vehicles that had spun out off the road between 10:00 PM on December 28th, 2021, and 10:00 AM on December 29th, 2021. Eight of the crashes resulted in injuries, but none of the crashes resulted in fatalities.
Wisconsin Winter Weather Crash Closes I-94
Based on a CNN report, on December 23rd, 2021, icy road conditions caused vehicle crashes and runoffs on I-94 in west-central Wisconsin. At 5:45 AM, a tractor-trailer drove into the median and caught fire while trapping two passenger vehicles underneath it. This initial crash resulted in a series of accidents and vehicle run-offs. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, about 40 vehicles were involved in the crash, and roughly half of those vehicles were semi-trucks.
The crash resulted in I-94 being closed in both directions along 25 miles from the Osseo area to Black River Falls for hours. There were no fatalities reported from the crash, but some people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
How Goldenberg Lauricella Can Help You
If you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident, get the Minnesota auto accident lawyers of Goldenberg Lauricella on your side. Our team has more than 35 years of experience helping clients receive the justice they deserve by providing the Gold standard of advocacy. Leave the sleepless nights to us by contacting us today for a free consultation.