Jeremy Renner’s Snow Plow Accident Exposes Winter Road Dangers

Jeremy Renner, the Oscar-nominated actor who is best known as the bow and arrow-wielding superhero Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was severely injured during a tragic New Year’s Day snow plow accident near his home in Reno, Nevada. Renner’s accident is a stark reminder that none of us are immune to winter roadway dangers, and like the lyrics of Five for Fighting’s 2000 hit song, “Superman”, even heroes have the right to bleed.

According to King5 News and NME, Renner had come to the aid of a family member whose vehicle was stranded in the snow near Mt. Rose Highway. After freeing the vehicle using his 14,000-pound PistenBully snow plow, the heavy machinery began to slide forward while Mr. Renner was not behind the wheel. The actor was tragically crushed while attempting to climb back into the snow plow. 911 transcripts reveal that Renner was bleeding profusely from his leg, and also sustained injuries to his upper abdomen and head. The Hawkeye star reportedly underwent two surgeries for his accident injuries, which included blunt chest trauma and severe orthopedic injuries.

The tragic snow plow accident occurred in the midst of severe winter storms blanketing many parts of the country under snow and ice. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said that a severe winter storm had dumped three feet of snow over the Reno area on New Year’s Eve. In a haunting foreshadowing of future events, Jeremy Renner commented in a 2021 Instagram post, “I have so much respect for Mother Earth and Mother Nature…I expect to lose the fight, but I will always give it my best shot.”

From weather-related motor vehicle accidents to good samaritans injured while trying to assist a stranded motorist, the personal injury law firm of Carpenter & Zuckerman is here to help. Our compassionate attorneys are ready to fight on your behalf. Call our Seattle office today at (425) 786-2918, or contact us for a FREE consultation!

Preventing Winter Roadway Accidents

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show 119,000 police-reported crashes occurred during wintry conditions in 2020. With so many factors outside of your control, including unforeseen road hazards, the risky behavior of other motorists, and inclement weather conditions, it is best to mitigate your risk by proactively addressing factors you can control.

Perform Preventive Car Maintenance Before Winter Arrives

When it comes to your vehicle, prevention is key to avoiding unnecessary winter accidents. NHTSA recommends performing preventive annual maintenance prior to the onset of wintry conditions, and especially before traveling long distances in inclement weather.

Car Seats: Ensure children’s car seats are properly installed in your vehicle.
Tires: Inspect your vehicle’s tires monthly, and before a long road trip to ensure they meet the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure. Consider buying winter tires.
Battery: Inspect your vehicle’s battery, charging system, and belts; battery power and electric vehicle driving ranges are reduced in cold weather.
Anti-lock braking system: Ask your mechanic to inspect your car’s anti-lock brake system, if you have one.
Lights: Inspect and test all of your vehicle’s lights and turn signals to ensure they are working.
Windshield wipers: Replace your vehicle’s windshield wipers as necessary, ensure the windshield wiper fluid is topped off with quality winter fluid containing a de-icer, and ensure the defrosters are functioning.
Coolant: Have your vehicle’s coolant levels checked and the system inspected for leaks.
Check for recalls: Use NHTSA’s online tool to check for recalls on your vehicle.
Tune-up: Take your vehicle in for a tune-up and inspection before winter weather hits.

Stock Your Vehicle with Emergency Food & Supplies

A severe winter storm may prevent emergency responders from reaching you quickly. To increase your chances of survival if you are involved in a winter car accident or must shelter in your vehicle during a severe winter storm, prepare an emergency kit to store in your vehicle. Below is a list of essential items to include in your vehicle’s emergency supply kit:

Jumper cables
Cell phone and charger
Flashlight or headlamp & spare batteries
Snow chains
Flares or warning device
Snow shovel & ice scraper
Blankets
Food and water
Essential medications
First aid kit

Safe Winter Driving Tips

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), “Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually.” Additionally, 3,400 people are killed and 544,700 are injured in crashes involving rain each year. Living with the risk of weather-related accidents is an unfortunate reality for residents of the Pacific Northwest and other regions that experience severe winter weather. However, practicing the following safe winter driving tips can help reduce the risk of being involved in a deadly winter accident:

Plan your route: Use a mapping system to plan your route ahead of time. Always allow extra time for traffic and weather-related delays.
Drive slowly: Excessive speed is a top factor in winter car accidents. According to the National Safety Council, speeding was a factor in 42% of fatal crashes on icy or frosty roads, versus 19% of fatal crashes on dry roads in 2020.
Allow extra stopping distance: Speed and adverse road conditions increase vehicle stopping distance. Allow an 8 to 10-second following distance between vehicles.
Ease off the gas & steer in the direction of a skid to prevent the wheels from locking.
Never pump ABS brakes; instead, apply firm pressure to the brake pedal.
Learn how to drive on black ice, with or without ABS.
Good Samaritans should use extreme caution when assisting another motorist. Always assess danger from surrounding traffic as well as the accident scene.
Full tank / charge: Travel with a full tank of gas or a full charge, whenever possible.
Minimize distractions: Anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road increases your risk of an accident, including eating, applying makeup, listening to loud music, texting, talking on the phone, and arguing with passengers.
Do not drive under the influence: Drugs and alcohol reduce your reaction time and can severely impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Despite taking all precautions, winter car accidents are sometimes unavoidable, especially when the roads are covered in snow or ice. If you are involved in an accident or need to shelter in your vehicle during a winter storm, try to remain calm and follow these guidelines below:

What to Do if You Are Stranded or Involved in a Winter Car Accident

Call 911 if anyone is injured or you are stranded in your vehicle.
Stay inside your vehicle while you wait for emergency help to arrive.
Increase your visibility using flares, dome lights, & brightly-colored warning devices.
Run your vehicle’s engine 10 min/hour to stay warm; ensure the tailpipe is clear and open your window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Open your vehicle’s hood to indicate you need help, if it is not snowing.
Seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
Contact a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.

For more information on safely sheltering in your vehicle, follow the recommendations of the National Weather Service.

CZ Helps Accident Injury Victims; We Do “Whatever It Takes”

In Marvel’s 2019 movie Avengers: Endgame, Jeremy Renner’s character, Clint Barton, echoes Natashsa Romanoff’s resolve to rid the Marvel Universe of Thanos, resolutely stating that he’ll do “whatever it takes.” Thankfully, we have a robust legal system in the United States that doesn’t require individuals to heroically sacrifice themselves to bring forth justice. At Carpenter & Zuckerman, we draw on our extensive experience and legal knowledge, and are equally resolved to do whatever it takes in the legal system to deliver justice to our deserving clients.

CZ Law wishes Mr. Renner a full recovery and is thrilled that the latest King 5 news report indicates Mr. Renner has been released from this hospital and is continuing his recovery at home, with family by his side. Similarly, our firm is dedicated to ensuring that our injured clients receive the maximum compensation possible in their individual cases, so they can focus on recovering and moving on with their lives.

CZ Law has been helping winter accident victims recover compensation for their damages for the past 27 years. We routinely deliver excellent results, and have secured more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients since 1995. We maintain offices in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Garden Grove, San Diego, and Bakersfield, as well as Seattle, Washington.

Whether you have been injured in a snow plow accident, winter sporting accident, or any other incident, CZ Law will do “whatever it takes” to secure the compensation you deserve! Call CZ Law today at (425) 786-2918, or fill out our form below for a FREE consultation.