The lack of snow and subzero weather in Minnesota recently may lead drivers to have a false sense of confidence on the roads. Accidents can still happen, even when there is no ice or snow covering everything. Car and truck drivers need to exercise caution so that devastating car accidents can be avoided.

A Minnesota woman is dead after a fatal car accident in early February. The victim, who was driving a Pontiac sports car, struck a tractor-trailer at about 10 a.m. near Albert Lea. A slight bend in the road may have been a contributing factor in the crash, according to authorities.

As is common in accidents involving a car and a tractor-trailer, the driver of the car suffered all the damage. The truck driver remained unharmed while the car occupant was extricated from the vehicle and quickly evacuated to a local hospital. She was later pronounced dead.

Police reports say the driver of the small northbound car veered across the center line into the oncoming southbound semi truck, causing a head-on collision. The truck accident was likely caused by heavy morning fog, which may have confused the car driver and created a dangerous layer of thin ice along the road. Rural areas were especially affected by the fog during that morning, according to weather service reports.

The recent weather trends have caused more than 90 accidents on Minnesota roads during the past week, say state troopers, with about 15 drivers sustaining significant injuries as a result of a crash. Public safety representatives urge drivers to take standard precautions such as turning on their lights, paying extra attention, and slowing down to a reasonable speed.

If a person's negligence or reckless driving results in injuries or other damages, it may be appropriate for a victim to seek compensation.

Source: CBS Minnesota, "1 Dead After Car Hits Semi Head-On In Southern MN," Feb. 1, 2012