Car Accident in Snow Storm Kills One in Madison County, Illinois

MADISON COUNTY, IL – BND.com writes that a man was killed in a car accident on Friday, January 11, 2019, during a snowstorm. At the time of the fatal accident theroadways were covered in ice and snow.*

The victim, Allen Reinacher, 73, was driving a 1995 Chevrolet when he lost control over the vehicle while it was traveling east on U.S. 40. Reinacher’s vehicle hit a 2003Ford van driven by Catherine Witaschek, 53. Witaschek was traveling westbound.

Police reported that Reinacher was not using a seatbelt at the time of the incident. The victim died at the site of thecrash at around 6:30 in the evening.

Witaschek and three others traveling in the van with her were all taken to a nearby hospital where they received treatment for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Winter weather causes thousands of car accidents every year. Those crashes kill an average of more than 1,300 people every year and injure over 116,000. It is possible to reduce the number ofaccidents by effectively salting the roadways. One study indicated that the number of car accidents is reduced by 88 percent when road salt is used. Injuries are reduced by 85 percent with the use of road salt.

Safe driving on snowy roads often means reducing vehicle speed. Even driving at the posted speed limit is often far too fast on a snow-covered road. Most drivers realize this and reduce their speed. As a result, the average speed on roads drops by 30 or 40 percent when the roads are covered by snow or slush. Sometimes drivers who are used to wintery weather overestimate their ability to drive on snow covered roads. Sometimes, the best course of action is notto drive at all until the roads can be cleared and salted.

If you or a loved one has been harmed in an auto accident in Madison County, Illinois, contact Stein & Shulman, LLC

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You can receive a free and instant case review with our Auto Accident Lawyers in Madison County, Illinois by calling our office at 312.422.0500.

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*https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article224342540.html