It’s no secret that the weather in Lafayette can change drastically and quickly, and that can have a serious impact on the safety of the roads. Drivers who do not adapt to changing weather conditions may end up causing major accidents. If you suffered injuries because a driver did not exercise enough caution during a period of poor weather, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses.To find out more about your legal options after a weather-related accident, contact the Morris Bart law firm by calling (337) 446-4571. You can discuss your case with a Lafayette failure to heed changing weather or road conditions lawyer through a free consultation.
Hazard Presented by Changing Weather in Lafayette
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), there are many hazards associated with changing weather. In fact, 21% of the motor vehicle accidents that occur yearly are related to poor weather conditions in some way. Additionally, the DOT reported that:
- More than 418,000 people suffer injuries in weather-related accidents every year
- Almost 5,000 people are killed in weather-related accidents every year
Any form of poor weather could lead to an accident in Lafayette. However, wet pavement and rain cause the majority of weather-related accidents. Although less common in Louisiana, snow, sleet, and icy pavement also contribute to weather-related accidents. Finally, fog causes some collisions every year but is responsible for a relatively small number of accidents compared to other kinds of poor weather.
For a free legal consultation with a Failure to Heed Changing Weather or Road Condition Accident lawyer serving Lafayette, call 800-537-8185
Liability for Weather-Related Accidents in Lafayette
No one can truly control or predict the weather. Some drivers believe this means no one is responsible for a weather-related accident. However, this is not necessarily the case in Louisiana. In fact, drivers are responsible for considering changing weather or road conditions and adjusting their behavior accordingly. Drivers may need to slow down and increase their following distance if they drive in poor weather.
They may need to turn on their windshield wipers and headlights. Drivers may need to apply their brakes more cautiously and carelessly when making turns. In particularly severe weather, drivers may even be expected to pull over to the side of the road and stop until the conditions pass.
A driver who fails to adapt to changing weather could be held responsible for causing a collision. Your Lafayette failure to heed changing weather or road conditions lawyer could work to show that the other driver did not behave reasonably during a storm, which could allow you to get compensation for your losses.
Lafayette Weather-Related Accidents and Injuries
As we mentioned, hundreds of thousands of people are hurt every year in weather-related accidents. The types of injuries caused by weather-related collisions may vary in severity. Some drivers and passengers in a motor vehicle could experience:
Head and Brain Injuries
If your head struck something in a car accident, you could experience a brain injury. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common results of car accidents. An airbag may help reduce your odds of experiencing these injuries, but airbags are not always effective.
Back, Neck, and Spine Injuries
Your spine could be twisted around during an accident, causing back and neck injuries. Whiplash—a soft tissue injury involving the neck—is one of the most common injuries associated with car accidents in Lafayette. You could also experience trauma to your lower spine.
Broken or Fractured Bones
Car accidents often result in broken bones. You may be likely to break the bones in your arms and legs during a collision with another vehicle. You could also break your ribs or hip bones, especially if another vehicle struck you in the side.
Internal Injuries
You should always treat organ damage very seriously. If a bone hits an organ, it could cause internal bleeding. All car accident injuries should receive medical treatment, but this may be especially important if you believe you experienced an internal injury.
Click to contact our Lafayette Car Accident Attorney today
Types of Compensation for Weather-Related Accidents
You may require extensive medical treatment after a weather-related accident in Lafayette. A lawyer may need to show that the other driver acted unreasonably to get compensation following a collision. If your lawyer is successful, you could receive damages to cover your:
- Current and future healthcare expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning potential
- Repair costs for your vehicle
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
It must be clear that the collision caused your injuries. You may help establish the causes of your injuries by visiting a medical professional immediately if you are hurt, and ensure that you keep all of your medical records as documentation.
Build a Claim for an Accident Caused by Changing Weather Conditions
A Lafayette failure to heed changing weather or road conditions lawyer could help you get compensation after your accident. Your lawyer may focus on building your claim by:
- Speaking with witnesses to the accident
- Requesting your police report
- Going to the scene of the accident
- Working with accident reconstruction specialists
After working on your claim, a lawyer may take steps to help you by negotiating with insurance agents representing the other driver. In many situations, weather-related accident claims are handled outside of the courtroom, but your lawyer can file a lawsuit if he or she cannot obtain a fair settlement from the insurance company.
You can discuss your options right now with a team member from the Morris Bart law firm by calling(337) 446-4571.
Call a Lafayette Failure to Heed Changing Weather or Road Conditions Lawyer
If you suffered injuries in a weather-related accident in Lafayette, you may be able to get legal help on your side. Start getting answers to your legal questions from a Lafayette failure to heed changing weather or road conditions lawyer. Contact the team at the Morris Bart law firm to start your free consultation.
Fill out our online contact form, chat with us, or call (337) 446-4571 today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
