While you might plan to stay home during a blizzard in New York, severe winter weather can strike at any time. Getting caught in an unexpected storm can be dangerous and stressful, leaving you stranded in your car to wait it out. If this happens to you, being prepared and focusing on safety is vital.
Before the cold weather is in full swing, ensure you have the right supplies in your car and know what to do if you’re stranded in a snowstorm. To help you stay safe this winter season, our team at Richmond Vona shares what to do if you’re in your car during a Nor’easter or blizzard.
Immediate Actions To Stay Safe if You’re in a Vehicle
If you’re driving during a blizzard and become stranded in your vehicle, there are some immediate steps you can take to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
Stay in Your Vehicle
When a winter storm hits and you find yourself trapped in the car, stay in your vehicle. Leaving your car to find shelter might be tempting, but you’ll be completely exposed to the elements.
With limited visibility, you could inadvertently put yourself in harm’s way (e.g., oncoming vehicles or losing sight of your car). Also, there’s no guarantee that you will find another place to ride out the storm. Your car ensures shelter from the harsh conditions.
Additionally, abandoned vehicles are hazardous because they block oncoming traffic. If you leave your car in a storm and it causes an accident, you may be liable for injuries and damages. If you cannot drive, pull over at a safe location.
Make Your Car Visible
Do your best to make your car easy to see from a distance. When visible, your vehicle can help others find you and keep oncoming traffic from hitting you. This reduces the risk of an accident and associated legal consequences. Ways to make your car more visible during a storm include:
- Turning on your hazard lights.
- Tying brightly colored clothing to the antenna or hanging it from a closed window.
- Clearing away snow obscuring your vehicle.
When exiting your car to make it more visible, always ensure it’s safe before getting out. Check for oncoming cars and exit on the side of the vehicle farthest from traffic.
Conserve Fuel and Battery
Even when your car is idling as you wait for a winter blizzard to pass, you’re using up gas and battery power. To conserve your car’s fuel and battery, only turn it on periodically to warm up the vehicle. Also, take this time to check the vehicle’s tailpipe and clear away snow or ice buildup, as a blockage can cause lethal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Make sure you charge your phone each time you start up and don’t use it more than you need to. Additionally, unplug unnecessary accessories to avoid draining the battery more quickly.
Staying Warm and Preventing Injuries
If you’re stranded in your car during a winter storm, chances are the temperature and wind chill is below freezing. In these conditions, the top priorities are staying warm and preventing injuries that could turn an already dangerous situation into a real emergency. Here are tips to stay warm and survive a Nor’easter or blizzard in your car:
- Run your car’s heater for a few minutes every hour.
- Sit close to other occupants to share and conserve body heat.
- Cover yourself and your passengers in blankets and extra clothing.
- Use the vehicle’s floor mats to insulate windows and prevent heat from escaping.
- Move around to maintain circulation.
Communication Practices
It’s important to communicate with local authorities, emergency services, and loved ones to let them know where you are. You don’t want to be stranded in your car longer than necessary, and alerting the right people means they can find and help you more quickly in an emergency.
Alert Authorities
If you’re stuck in the car during severe weather, don’t wait to alert local authorities, especially if you require assistance. Emergency services will try to reach you as soon as possible, preventing dangerous conditions that could affect your health and safety. In an emergency, call 911 right away.
Stay in Contact With Emergency Services
Even if you don’t need immediate help, it’s good to contact local emergency services. Provide periodic updates on your location, situation, and the condition of vehicle occupants as you wait for the blizzard to pass. However, remember to preserve your phone’s battery as much as possible.
Preserve Battery
Preserve your battery to ensure you can contact the right people for help. Only use your phone to communicate with police, emergency services, or close family and friends. Unnecessary texting, scrolling through social media, or watching videos will quickly drain your phone’s battery. You can also turn off background features and apps to conserve battery power.
Emergency Supplies and Communication
Stocking your vehicle with emergency supplies is an essential part of prepping your car for winter. That way, you have everything you need to survive a harsh blizzard if stranded in your car.
Items To Keep in Your Car
To maximize car safety during a blizzard, put together a winter emergency kit that includes these essential items:
- First aid kit
- Blankets
- Water
- Portable chargers
- Jumper cables
- Snow shovel and scraper
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Brightly colored flags to tie to your antenna
- Gloves
- Non-perishable snacks
- Non-clumping cat litter to provide traction
You can also add a list of emergency contacts to your supplies, such as local emergency services, roadside assistance, and hospitals.
Legal Responsibility
Drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and avoid situations that could harm others. In extreme or inclement weather, drivers may need to make adjustments to ensure safe conditions, such as:
- Driving slower.
- Distancing themselves from other vehicles.
- Braking and accelerating gently to avoid skidding.
- Being more observant of road conditions.
When drivers neglect their duty of care behind the wheel, it can lead to accidents, injuries, and liability. For example, leaving your car in a dangerous spot during a blizzard is hazardous to other drivers. If your abandoned car causes a crash, you may be liable for the victim’s damages. Exercise caution and focus on accident prevention to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
After the Storm
As the blizzard passes and the weather clears, take necessary precautions before driving away. Here’s what you can do to stay safe after the storm:
- Exit the vehicle slowly and carefully.
- Remove snow and ice from the windshield and windows.
- Clear snow around the tires.
- Check the exhaust pipe for ice buildup.
- Drive slowly to avoid losing traction.
Call emergency services if you cannot safely drive your car after the blizzard due to vehicle, road, or health conditions. Safely managing your vehicle after a winter storm can prevent accidents and ensure you fulfill your legal responsibilities as a driver.
Consult Richmond Vona for Help After an Accident
Even if you do all you can to stay safe on winter roads, accidents can happen. If you were injured due to someone else’s carelessness, our legal team is here to help. Contact us online or call (716) 500-5678 to speak with our skilled New York car accident lawyers about your legal rights and options.
