You’re driving cautiously through a snowstorm on your way home from Green Bay, keeping a safe distance and staying under the speed limit. Suddenly, another car loses control on the icy road, slams into your vehicle, and changes your life in an instant. Wisconsin winters can be dangerous, but accidents like these happen all the time, because someone else wasn’t careful.

The team at Natasha Misra Law wants you to be as prepared as possible for any road conditions, and we’re here to fight for you if someone else wasn’t, and injured you in an accident. Let’s take a look at what winter conditions you could face, and how you can best try to stay safe out there in the snow. 

Winter Driving Hazards in Wisconsin

Icy Roads: As temperatures drop, moisture on the roads can freeze into a slick, invisible layer of ice. Icy conditions are common across Wisconsin’s highways and residential streets, especially on bridges and overpasses.

  • How it causes accidents: Cars can lose traction, making it difficult to stop or steer.
  • Stay safe: Drive slower, increase following distance, and brake gently to avoid skidding.

Snowstorms and Reduced Visibility: Heavy snow can make it nearly impossible to see other vehicles, road signs, or obstacles. Rural areas like Oshkosh and Fond du Lac can be especially hazardous, with blowing snow creating whiteout conditions.

  • How it causes accidents: Drivers may fail to notice stopped cars or drift into other lanes.
  • Stay safe: Use headlights, drive cautiously, and avoid sudden lane changes.

Black Ice: Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that blends with the pavement, making it almost impossible to detect. It’s especially dangerous on shaded roads or during early morning hours.

  • How it causes accidents: Drivers can spin out or lose control without warning.
  • Stay safe: Slow down, avoid sudden steering, and stay alert on bridges and overpasses.

Snow-Covered Roads: Packed snow can be as slippery as ice and often hides road markings, making it hard to judge where your lane ends or begins. This is a common issue in cities like Green Bay and Appleton after a heavy snowfall.

  • How it causes accidents: Cars can slide when braking or turning too quickly.
  • Stay safe: Use winter tires, keep speeds low, and avoid abrupt maneuvers.

Unplowed or Poorly Maintained Roads: Snow and ice are bad enough, but when roads aren’t properly plowed or salted, the danger increases. Wisconsin’s smaller towns and rural highways often face delayed maintenance, making conditions worse.

  • How it causes accidents: Drivers may skid, collide with snowbanks, or lose control on untreated roads.
  • Stay safe: Avoid driving immediately after storms and report dangerous road conditions to local authorities.

Winter Conditions Lead to More Crashes and Serious Injuries

Winter driving hazards are more than inconvenient—they’re dangerous. Snow, ice, and low visibility significantly increase the likelihood of crashes, and when another driver isn’t as cautious as you are, the consequences can be devastating. Rear-end collisions, multi-car pileups, and sliding accidents happen more often during winter, leading to serious injuries like whiplash, broken bones, and head trauma. If you’ve been hurt because someone else wasn’t careful on Wisconsin’s winter roads, you deserve justice.

Get in Touch with a Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured in a winter driving accident in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, or anywhere in northern WI—don’t wait to get experienced legal advocacy. Contact Natasha Misra Law today for a free consultation.

Stay safe this winter, and remember: when you need someone to fight for you, Natasha Misra Law is more than just another suit. We’re advocates for your health, safety, and your future.

Chest injuries, particularly bruised or fractured ribs, are common in car accidents. While ribs usually heal without medical intervention, rib injuries can be painful and make breathing or coughing uncomfortable. If you suffered fractured ribs after a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, as well as your accident-related medical expenses. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect with rib injuries from a car accident.

What are the symptoms of broken ribs?

Without an evaluation or diagnosis from a medical professional, it can be difficult to determine whether your ribs are fractured or simply bruised. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, visible bruising, and painful coughing or sneezing can indicate both fractures and contusions. However, when ribs are broken, the pain is often much sharper and may worsen when you bend or twist your upper body.

In some circumstances, rib injuries can be life-threatening. If you experience any of these symptoms following a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis to ensure appropriate treatment and to avoid further injury or subsequent illness.

How are broken ribs treated?

While many rib injuries heal on their own, they can be quite painful in the meantime and may yield long-term consequences. Rib fractures can lead to collapsed lungs, a serious medical condition that can make breathing difficult. Because they can cause further internal injury, broken ribs often require surgical intervention, particularly if more than one rib is broken or other internal organs have been damaged. 

For less severe injuries, like bruising, you will likely be treated with OTC pain medication, ice, rest, and a period of restricted activity. 

How do car accidents cause broken ribs?

The force of a car colliding with another vehicle or stationary object can result in blunt trauma to the chest, resulting in broken ribs and other injuries. Whether from the impact of the steering wheel, dash, or just the force of the seatbelt securing the rider safely in the seat, car accidents cause broken ribs through impact, force, or other collision.

Can I recover compensation for rib injuries?

Yes, if you are injured in a car accident, you may file a lawsuit against the responsible party to recover accident-related medical expenses, lost wages, and even compensation for pain and suffering. The circumstances surrounding the accident, nature of your injuries, treatment, and what kind of insurance you carry will factor into the outcome of your case. 

If you were injured in a car accident, there are certain time limitations to file a case. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to discuss your options. With an attorney to advocate for your interests, you can focus on healing while your attorney fights to recover the compensation you deserve.


Natasha Misra

My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.