As you may know, more car accidents happen during bad weather. An average of 5,000 people are killed, and more than 418,000 are injured in weather-related accidents yearly. However, several factors come into play when determining liability in a car crash. This process is key to helping an injured party obtain compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and emotional damages.
What Is Liability in a Car Accident?
Liability is determining who is responsible or at fault for an accident. You must prove negligence on the part of one or multiple drivers to say a driver is liable. Negligence in a car accident means a driver did not take reasonable steps to ensure safety in any given situation, such as driving during severe weather conditions.
Weather-related car accidents can be caused by a negligent driver, poor road conditions, or both. Determining negligence can be more difficult when wet road surfaces are involved. An experienced car accident attorney will help determine who is responsible for the weather-related accident.
How Does Bad Weather Affect Liability?
Weather is not necessarily a hardcore factor when determining liability in a car accident. However, weather-related factors may be considered when ascertaining fault and compensation amounts.
Other factors considered include:
- Posted speed limit and speed of each driver
- Road conditions
- Poor visibility
- Distractions
- Intoxication levels
Driving Through Inclement Weather Conditions
Those behind the wheel have an extra responsibility to drive with caution when external factors, such as adverse weather conditions, are present. For example, fog and rainy weather can hinder visibility on the road, making it difficult to determine how far away other vehicles are or accurately read road signs. In addition, wet pavement and icy roads create dangerous road conditions, and tires lose traction. Because of this, it is the driver’s responsibility to drive slower than they would on an average day to have more time to react and maintain control of their vehicle in an emergency situation.
Other tips for safe driving through bad weather include:
- Leave earlier than usual.
- Drive slowly.
- Eliminate distractions.
- Leave more room between you and the car ahead.
- Use your low beams in fog.
- Buckle up.
- Replace windshield wipers as needed.
- Follow weather advisories.
How Does a Lawyer Help After a Weather-Related Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a weather-related accident that weather played a part in, turn to a Richard Schwartz car accident attorney for guidance. We will make your car accident case as hassle-free for you as possible.
- We will talk to the insurance company on your behalf.
- We will review your case and gather weather reports and witness statements.
- Our lawyers will investigate your car accident to show what other factors may have led to the crash.
- We will recreate the accident scene to gather data.
- Our lawyers will help determine negligence.
- We demand a fair settlement for our clients.
Who Should You Call After a Weather-Related Car Accident?
You should call a law firm with experienced car accident attorneys who know how to handle the insurance company and get you the compensation you deserve. Richard Schwartz & Associates Personal Injury Lawyers, P.A. have over 40 years of experience fighting for Mississippi auto accident victims.
Call or schedule today for your FREE consultation. You only pay if we win!
