Key Takeaways
- Be prepared for inclement weather by having an emergency car kit and up-to-date car seats for children
- Employ best-practices for driving in tough conditions that include taking your time and maintaining proper braking distance
- If you happen to get into a car accident, follow the four simple steps below from the team at Kajy Law
With the holidays come more drivers on the roads. In fact, nearly 3.4 million Michiganders are expected to hit the roads over the holidays this year. And whenever there’s an uptick in traffic, that means there’s an increase in motor vehicle accidents.
To further complicate things, the arrival of the holidays also means the chance for inclement weather, such as snow and black ice on the streets and freeways. Plus, there’s a higher incidence of drunk driving.
So we’ll take a look at the best ways to stay safe while driving this holiday season in Michigan.
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Always Have an Emergency Car Kit
According to the Red Cross, no car should be without an emergency car kit. And the first item in this car kit should be a first aid kit. Having one of these is essential in handling medical emergencies on the spot, especially when help may be far away or difficult to reach.
A first aid kit should include the following:
- Adhesive and elastic bandages
- Antibiotic wipes and ointment
- Sterile gauze pads
- Pain relievers
- Cotton swabs
- Hydrocortisone and antibacterial creams
- Instant cold pack
- Latex or nitrile gloves
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Shovel
Beyond these basic medical items, your emergency car kit should be stocked with practical items such as water and non-perishable food, flashlights with extra batteries, blankets, warm clothing, and a portable power pack to charge your phone if it goes dead.
You should also include jumper cables, a tire repair kit with an inflator, road flares, reflective triangles, and a shovel and sand, in case you get stuck in snow or mud. Finally, you might consider emergency radios if you know you’ll be in a location where phone service may not be available.
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Stay Up to Date on Car Seats for Children
Vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for young children.
So, in an effort to further safeguard children, new car seat laws in Michigan were established in April of 2025.
A child must be at least two years old before he or she can be in a forward-facing seat. The exception is if they outgrow the height and weight limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
Meanwhile, children are required to be in forward-facing car seats until they are at least five years old, with the same exception for those who have outgrown the height and weight limits.
Finally, all children under the age of 13 must be safely buckled in the rear seat (if there is one) of a vehicle.
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Employ Best Practices When Driving in Inclement Weather
Visibility is crucial during inclement weather. Clear your windows of any ice or build-up before you leave and turn on the window defroster to keep them from icing again. If they do, pull over and scrape the ice again. Also, keep the windshield wipers going and be sure your headlights are on at all times. Even if you don’t need them to see, they will help you be seen.
TAKE YOUR TIME. With bad weather, taking it slowly will make all the difference. Brake cautiously to avoid locking them and losing control of steering. And turn off cruise control so you can properly respond and react to road conditions. Also, remember that there’s a chance for black ice that you won’t see until you’re on it. So it’s better to be going slowly.
If you get stuck in the snow, resist the urge to floor it. Instead, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. You want to avoid spinning the tires and creating a deeper rut. Using a shovel to remove snow and then placing sand or blocks under the drive wheels can help.
The holidays can be stressful. So be sure to practice patience both on the road and off.
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Know What to Do After an Accident
In the unfortunate event that you do get into an accident, the experienced car accident attorneys from Kajy Law will advise that you be careful about sharing information. Giving too much information could potentially hinder a claim down the line.
Details you should share with the other driver following an accident are:
- Contact Information (name, address, and phone number)
- Insurance Information (company names and policy numbers)
- License Number and License Plates (standard for any police report)
- Car Information (including make, model, and color)
You should also answer all questions from law enforcement honestly. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know” when appropriate. And avoid filling in details when you’re unsure.
Then, avoid speaking with insurance companies and claim adjusters who will try to get you to answer questions that can significantly lessen the amount of benefits you receive from an accident settlement. Instead, call Kajy Law immediately so that our car accident lawyers can speak to the insurance company on your behalf with respect to the claims and commentary regarding your accident. This means from start to finish, you won’t have to worry about communicating with them about your car accident injury claims.
Finally, don’t post anything on social media about your accident. ANYTHING. The insurance companies will be looking.
Stay Safe While Driving This Holiday Season in Michigan with Tips from Kajy Law
Seasons greetings! We hope all of the above tips and reminders will help you stay safe while driving this holiday season in Michigan.
Even with the best of intentions, accidents can still happen. So if you find yourself the victim of a car accident this holiday season, contact Kajy Law as soon as possible at 877-KAJY-CARES. Or you can contact us through our website for assistance.
With more than 5000 cases won, a 98% success rate, and over $100 million recovered for their clients, the experts at Kajy Law can help you win your accident case and help to make the season a little brighter.