Many weather conditions can contribute to car crashes. However, drivers still have a responsibility to avoid collisions when possible. To this end, most crashes occur because of one driver’s carelessness or recklessness, even if the current weather conditions play a role.

If you have concerns about how weather conditions affect your car accident case, you have options. Speaking with a car accident lawyer about your next steps and trusting them to handle your case could allow you to recover fair compensation while you focus on healing and getting back to your usual activities.

Understanding How Weather Conditions Contribute to Traffic Accidents

Many types of weather can cause and contribute to collisions in different ways. Knowing how to handle the changing weather and drive safely regardless of conditions is important. When the weather is bad, drivers must adapt or park their cars to avoid serious crashes and injuries.

Dangerous weather conditions that affect driving include:

Rain

Rain and wet roads are some of the most common weather conditions that could affect safe driving. Wet roads are slick. It takes longer to stop than it does on dry pavement. Drivers must turn on their lights, slow down, and leave extra space to stop when driving on wet roads.

Heavy rain also makes it difficult to see, so ensuring you have effective windshield wipers is essential.

Flooding

Standing water is a serious risk for drivers. It greatly increases the risk of hydroplaning, and even shallow water can wash your car off the road. In some cases, these crashes could occur because of a defective road design. When this occurs, the liable party might be a government agency or a contractor who designed or built the road.

Ice

Icy roads create a serious hazard, especially when they occur in areas of the country that see little snow or ice. These areas have few resources and infrastructure in place to clear the roads, and many drivers have little experience driving in these conditions. Slow down, leave additional stopping distance, and avoid driving in icy conditions when possible.

Wind

The wind is not one of the first weather conditions people think of when discussing car accidents, but it can significantly affect high-profile vehicles. It could cause truck collisions or make other large vehicles difficult to control.

Fog

Fog is a significant cause of multiple-vehicle crashes. There is a long history of major pile-ups caused by fog nationwide, including incidents in Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida, and Washington State.

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Who Is Liable When Weather Is a Factor in a Crash?

In most cases, one of the involved drivers is liable in any collision. Drivers must follow many laws, including altering their speed and actions in poor visibility or wet conditions. When a driver fails to do so, it is their carelessness or recklessness that causes the collision. Showing what occurred and how they caused the crash allows victims to hold them legally responsible.

Other parties are sometimes liable or share liability in these cases. This could include the agency that owns and operates the road, a contractor that built it, or the firm that designed it. Proving these cases often involves working with experts, including engineers, to understand how the road design or defects cause crashes.

Will Weather Conditions Affect My Ability to Recover Compensation?

Under most circumstances, you should be able to hold the liable driver responsible and recover compensation for your injuries, expenses, and other losses. Drivers still have a responsibility to follow all traffic laws and avoid accidents, when possible, despite bad weather. Their insurance company knows this and could settle the case before you have to sue their policyholder.

Sometimes, cases go to trial. When this occurs, the jury will decide based on the facts presented in court. With evidence to show they caused the crash by acting carelessly in bad weather, you could win the case.

If there is another liable party in your crash, you will want to work with an attorney who frequently handles cases against government agencies. There are special rules that sometimes apply. Proving a defective design or roadway defect is sometimes difficult. However, many car accident lawyers know how to develop a strong case and hold the liable parties responsible.

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Discuss Your Car Accident Case With Our Attorneys

If you suffered injuries in a Gulf South crash, attorneys from the Morris Bart law firm will assess your case and answer your questions. We can discuss how the weather might affect your claim or lawsuit based on the unique details of your case. We have 16 offices and serve all areas of Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.