Dangers of Black Ice: How Black Ice Forms and How to Stay Safe

 Posted on December 30, 2024 in Car Accidents

There are at least 150,000 automobile crashes each year due to icy roads. It takes about 10 times longer to stop completely on an icy road than on a dry road. Since about 70 percent of U.S. residents live in places that have icy conditions during the winter months, ice on the roads – especially black ice – can be a major contributor to car collisions. If you have been involved in an auto accident caused by another driver's negligence, contacting an experienced Plainfield, IL personal injury lawyer can be beneficial.

What Is Black Ice and When/Where Does It Form?

Black ice is just ice that forms on roads, sidewalks, and driveways. It is called black ice because it looks like regular pavement when clear ice freezes on top of the pavement. Black ice has no bubbles, making it even harder to detect in advance. The primary danger of black ice – other than slick ice – is the driver’s inability to see the ice before the car is on it.

Black ice most commonly forms at night or early in the morning when temperatures are at their lowest, and the sun is not yet up. Tree-lined routes, tunnels, less traveled roads, bridges, overpasses, and other areas without much sunshine are more likely to have black ice.

On bridges and overpasses, the cold air cools both the top and underneath, causing faster freezing. Black ice tends to form in smooth, glossy sheets. While it is difficult to detect, if the part of the road being driven on is dull black in color but suddenly appears shiny, black ice may be present. Other times, black ice can make the road slightly darker and duller.

How Can You Stay Safe When Black Ice Is Present?

Since black ice is so difficult to detect, a driver may not realize the road is icy until he or she begins to slide. Below are some tips on how to drive on black ice and hopefully avoid an accident:

• Once your car begins to slide, immediately take your foot off the gas pedal. Tap the brakes lightly instead of pushing down on the brake pedal.
• If you see cars sliding ahead of you, you can assume there is black ice. Downshift to your car’s lowest gear and drive slowly.
• If your car begins to slide, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid until you can steer it back on track.
• Always leave plenty of space (at least a couple hundred feet, or ten or so car lengths) between your car and other cars on the road.
• Remember that driving a four-wheel drive or a large truck or SUV does not give you any advantage on ice.
• Drive with your low-beam headlights on to make your car more visible to others.
• Keep your tires in good condition, and make sure your car is up-to-date on maintenance.

Whose Fault is an Accident on Black Ice?

Although many drivers believe that if they slide on ice and hit another driver, they are not at fault, this is not the case. The driver who slides on black ice is usually considered at fault since drivers are expected to exercise appropriate caution to prevent sliding into another vehicle during icy conditions.

If another driver slides into you on black ice, he or she will usually be considered the at-fault driver. Illinois operates under comparative negligence for auto accidents, which means you can collect damages if you are less than 50 percent responsible for an accident.

Contact a Will County, IL Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact a Plainfield, IL auto accident attorney from Flaherty Law, LLC. Our attorney has the necessary experience and knowledge to represent personal injury cases after beginning his career in insurance defense litigation. Call 815-577-7500 to schedule your free consultation.