Car Stuck in the Snow? Try These Tips to Get it Unstuck

Getting stuck in the snow is an all too common problem drivers here in Michigan face during the winter. In some cases, it happens when someone tries to move a car that had been parked outside during a heavy snowfall. Other times, it might happen when someone drives on a road covered more deeply in snow than they realized. Regardless of how a car gets stuck in the snow, it’s an extremely frustrating situation to be in. Here’s what you should do if it happens to you. 

What to Do if Your Car Gets Stuck in the Snow

Clear a Path

When your car is stuck in the snow, the first thing you should do is clear the area immediately surrounding your tires so that it’s easier for your tires to regain traction. While you’re at it, check underneath your car to see if there is a large amount of snow which could be preventing it from moving forward and should be cleared away too. 

While we’re on the subject of making sure you have a clear path, be sure to check that your car will have a reasonably clear path ahead of it. You don’t want to go through the effort of getting your car unstuck, only for it to get stuck again right away because there was more deep snow ahead of it. 

Rock Your Car, Don’t Floor It

When people get their cars stuck in the snow, they often think that stepping hard on the gas pedal will give them the extra power they need to get out of the snow. However, this can make things worse by causing your tires to dig deeper into the snow. Instead, it’s best to rock your car back and forth by alternating between moving forward and moving in reverse so that you can get some momentum to help get you unstuck. 

Add Traction if Necessary

If you still need more help getting your car free, adding some extra traction could help. This can include putting down things like cat litter, sand, dirt, tire chains, traction mats, or gravel. The floor mats in your car may also do the trick. 

Ask for Help

Sometimes, you’re just going to need some extra help getting your car unstuck. Ideally, there’s a passenger in the car or some other people nearby who could give you a hand. If there isn’t anyone else around, or you simply aren’t able to get your car unstuck yourself, call roadside assistance for help, especially if your car is stuck in a place that is difficult to get out of, like a ditch.

How to Prevent Getting Your Car Stuck in the Snow

Nobody ever wants to end up getting stuck in the snow and making sure your car is prepared for snowy weather is a good way to make it less likely that you’ll end up in that situation. 

Since your tires come in direct contact with the road, they’re a good place to start. What type of tires do your cars have? Many people think that all-season and all-weather are the same thing, but they don’t necessarily perform the same in winter weather. All-season tires tend to be best when used in areas with moderate temperatures all year long. All-weather tires, on the other hand, are made with rubber compounds which help the tire grip the road better when the roads are snowy and temperatures are low. Winter tires are also designed to grip the roads better in slippery conditions. 

Also, it’s a good idea to make sure your car is stocked with the tools you’ll need to help your car get unstuck. This includes things like a shovel and other things that could help you gain traction, like sand, gravel, cat litter, traction mats, and snow tires. It’s also good to make sure you have things like blankets, a first aid kit, emergency flares, non-perishable food, and a battery-operated phone charger just in case you’re stuck in your car for an extended amount of time. 

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

Winter can be a particularly difficult time of year for Michigan drivers, making it particularly easy for negligent drivers to cause a crash and seriously injure someone. If you’ve been injured by a careless driver at any time of year, don’t hesitate to get help from a car accident lawyer. At Goodwin & Scieszka, we’re experienced in handling a wide variety of Michigan motor vehicle accident cases and helping the victims get the justice they deserve. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

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