Winter in Northeast Ohio is fast approaching, with icy, snow-covered roads and slick driving conditions leading to accidents that cause serious damage to your vehicle. Across the country, more than 20% of auto collisions are weather related, with most being directly related to wet, slippery roads.

Careful driving and thoughtful planning can help you avoid accidents, but odds are you will be involved in a fender bender that will cause stress on the road and require some auto body repair. Knowing how to handle it can help reduce the stress related to a car accident and its aftermath.

Tips for handling fender benders

If you are involved in an auto accident, follow these suggestions:

• Call police and stay where you are – Do not move the vehicles unless there is a danger to you or others if you do not. Use flairs if possible to alert approaching drivers.
• Gather information and share yours – This should include all parties’ full names, addresses and phone numbers, insurance information, and the make, model, and license numbers for all vehicles involved.
• Document the accident – Record all details you can about the accident and take pictures.
• Arrange for towing – This may be covered by your insurance or roadside assistance program.
• Notify your insurance agent – The sooner your agent knows about the accident the sooner you will be able to collect coverage for your damages.

Precautions can help keep you safe this winter

You won’t be able to avoid every accident, especially when winter deals its worst in Hudson, Akron, Cuyahoga Falls and the surrounding area. But you can take precautions that will put you in the best position to avoid serious accidents and keep you and your family safe.

• Stay current on vehicle maintenance – Schedule a checkup with your mechanic to ensure all fluids are full, antifreeze is in good condition, wiper blades are new, and heating and defrost systems are working. Also check tire tread and consider changing to snow tires for the season.
• Slow down when roads are wet or snow-covered – Even with snow tires, use gentle pressure on the gas to start slower, begin stopping three times sooner, and avoid braking and turning at the same time. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brakes; instead press the brake firmly until the pulsing stops.
• Check road conditions before you leave – Consult community reports or the highway patrol to learn of accidents or hazardous road conditions that you should avoid.
• Practice safe driving habits – This includes staying alert, maintaining extra distance between your car and the one ahead of you, always using turn signals, and wearing your seatbelt. If road conditions become worse, pull over and stop until they improve.

If your car or truck is damaged in an accident, contact Hudson Collision for quality auto body repairs as well as auto engine repair. In Hudson and across Summit County, Hudson Collision provides everything from full collision repairs with computer measuring to dent repair and auto body paint work. Click here for details about all Hudson’s auto repair services.