text: Home > Blog > 2016 > December > How to Prepare Your Car for Winter Weather
  The recent bout that we had with winter weather around St. Joseph showcases the need for drivers to prepare for bad road conditions. When you don't make yourself or your car ready for ice and snow, it can drastically increase the likelihood that you get involved in a serious car accident.
  Winter Storm Slams Missouri: Numerous Car Accidents
  The winter storm that ravaged most of the United States hit the Midwest and Missouri on December 16-17. The weather conditions made driving especially difficult, throwing down snow and freezing rain to make roadways around St. Joseph icy and dangerous.
  In all, no fewer than ten people died on the roads in the storm in Missouri alone. All of these fatalities came on Friday, December 16, when the storm first started. While only three were immediately blamed on ice and poor road conditions, subsequent investigations into the other fatal accidents might add to this number. The Missouri State Highway Patrol stated that there were 1,522 crashes, causing 171 injuries, in the storm.
  The first few winter storms in the season are often particularly hazardous. Drivers who have put off preparing their vehicles for the dangers of winter travel often find themselves struggling in the difficult conditions. There's still a lot of winter ahead of us, so it's not too late to take precautions. Doing so can help you avoid a costly car accident.
  Luckily, winterizing your car does not have to be difficult or even too expensive. Taking the following three steps can start preparing your car for the perils of winter driving, and can make the difference in avoiding a car accident:
  Check your antifreeze. Antifreeze is the liquid that keeps your engine from freezing. Winter is the time that you most need it. Check your owner's manual for how to properly check and add to your antifreeze level and avoid a serious engine problem on the road.
  Change to winter wiper fluid. There are multiple kinds of windshield wiper fluids. Regular wiper fluid, however, can freeze when it comes in contact with the windshield, creating more problems than it solves. Winter wiper fluid solves this, and is well worth the expense.
  Check or replace your tires. If you're worried about driving in the snow, then paying for snow tires is a worthwhile investment. Drivers in snowy areas of Maine and upstate New York all have a set in their basements. If you can't afford the expense, checking your tires for wear and keeping them properly inflated can also make a significant difference.
  The winter is a prime time for car accidents to happen in St. Joseph and throughout Missouri. If you suffer a personal injury in a car accident near St. Joseph, the Smith Law Office can provide you the legal representation you need to get the compensation you deserve. Contact our office online or call us at (816) 875-9373.