Black ice is, with considerable justification, one of the most feared weather-related factors on the road and a major cause of both multi-car and single car accidents. Its danger is a product of both the loss of tire traction that it causes and the inability of drivers to see and anticipate it before they find themselves struggling to regain control of their vehicle. “Black” ice, as it is commonly known, is not in fact black, but very glassy, clear ice that forms in the absence of snow or sleet, making it indistinguishable from the asphalt or macadam beneath it. It generally forms when light rain falls on a road at below freezing temperatures, when snow and sleet melt and refreeze, or, on occasion, from the moisture in vehicle exhaust that accumulates in areas of frequent traffic. Understanding the source, nature, and risks of black ice can aid drivers in avoiding it or mitigating the risks faced should one encounter it on the road.
Where Is Black Ice Most Likely to Form?
Black ice forms most frequently and rapidly on bridges and overpasses, where air is able to circulate both above and below the pavement, causing it to cool more dramatically. Such locations are responsible for a large portion of the considerable portion of winter car accidents involving black ice each year. Black ice is able to form in all locations, however, and is particularly common in Georgia, where winter weather is often sporadic and unpredictable, subject to vast temperature swings that can cause melting and refreezing of precipitation. Georgia drivers should thus be cautious and vigilant, treating any roads that appear wet in the cold winter months as potential sources of black ice accumulation. Also be conscientious of other drivers who may not be as aware of their surroundings and whose failure to compensate for road conditions could cause a collision or pile-up.
What to Do If You Are In a Black-Ice-Related Accident
If you have been the victim of an accident resulting from black ice, getting you back to full physical and financial health means finding skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced legal representatives to assist you in acquiring the compensation that you are due. Your interests will be best represented by a firm that not only understands the law, but medical terminology, conditions, and procedures as well. You must assume that the other party in your case will acquire skilled representation and that you must do the same to ensure your well-being.