Vehicle Crash Due to Poor Weather Conditions
Vehicle Crash Due to Poor Weather Conditions
According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 21% of vehicle accidents are weather-related each year. Weather-related crashes are defined as a crash that occurs in adverse weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, severe crosswinds, or blowing snow/sand/debris) or slick pavement. Additionally, the majority of weather-related vehicle crashes, 70%, occur on wet pavement, while 46% take place during rainfall. Even the safest drivers on the roadways could lose control of their vehicle during poor weather conditions.
Injuries from vehicle accidents can range from minor bruises to intense life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another person in poor weather conditions, fight for your legal rights. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney with the Los Angeles Injury Group to discuss your situation and determine if you are eligible for compensation. We will help file a proper claim on your behalf.
When a vehicle accident happens in adverse weather, who is at fault?
Drivers are Responsible for the Accidents
Once a person is behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, they are responsible for ensuring the car doesn’t hit any objects. People may try to cite bad weather conditions as a scapegoat for why an accident happened but, in reality, it is their own fault. If you are driving in poor weather conditions, you need to be aware and more cautious while driving. It is always the driver’s responsibility to adapt to any road conditions they encounter. Drivers will be held responsible if they fail to abide by the laws while driving in adverse weather.
All drivers have the ability to decide if they should drive or not during poor weather conditions. If they decide to drive anyways, they are held accountable for their actions, even if it results in an accident. They have all the power to drive carefully during any type of weather change, and if they are uncomfortable, then they need to stay off the roads until conditions improve.
Liability of Drivers
It is the responsibility of any driver on the road to avoid collisions, and to be aware of their surroundings and weather conditions. Ultimately they are responsible for deciding if they are able to drive through the poor weather conditions or not.
If it is lightly sprinkling outside and the roads are fairly dry, driving the speed limit is most likely considered safe. On the other hand, if there is a rainstorm outside and the roadways are covered with puddles, the driver must slow down, be extra cautious, and drive below the suggested speed limit. Every driver needs to be aware of the situations and understand when to drive the speed limit and when to drive slower depending on the weather conditions.
There are many reasons why vehicle accidents happen. Drivers must use their car in the correct ways to keep everyone safer on the roadways during poor weather conditions. If a driver is caught doing the following, then they will be held liable:
- Driving while impaired
- Not using headlights
- Driving with worn-out tires
- Not utilizing windshield wipers
- Driving while fatigued
- Distracted driving
- Failing to obey road signs
- Driving under the influence
- Failing to obey traffic signals
If you or someone you love has been involved in a vehicle accident due to poor weather conditions, reach out to our skilled attorneys at Los Angeles Injury Group. We will fight for your legal rights and a fair settlement for all victims.
Reasonable Care
Reasonable care is defined as the degree of caution someone takes during circumstances. When driving, this means using your best judgment to adjust the way you are operating your vehicle based on the current weather conditions. For example, if it starts to rain heavily while you are driving on the highway, you should drive under the suggested speed limit and turn on your hazard lights. Furthermore, if the weather worsens to strong winds that whip your car around between lanes, then you should drive off an exit and stay inside a store or restaurant to wait out the storm. It is very important to recognize when conditions are unsafe to drive in. Some common examples of reasonable care are:
- Making sure windows are clear
- Driving below the speed limit if conditions suggest doing so
- Leaving reasonable space between all vehicles around you
- Paying close attention to obstacles on the road
- Using turn signals
- Leaving a safe breaking distance in front of you
- Limiting all distractions
All drivers must be able to adapt to all different weather patterns. Poor weather conditions could come at any time, so drivers must be aware of the protocols and maintain a safe driving environment. You won’t drive the same on a hot sunny day in Los Angeles as you would in a rainstorm. Failing to adapt to the rainstorm could result in a vehicle accident.
Los Angeles Injury Group Personal Injury Attorney
Car accidents take place in Los Angeles on a daily basis. Pursue legal advice on any poor weather vehicle accident if you or a loved one has sustained injuries. Protect your legal rights and seek help from a highly trained personal injury attorney at Los Angeles Injury Group.
Our attorneys will thoroughly research every aspect of your accident to make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. We are here to help you and want to ensure that we determine the highest value of your claim. We will fight for your legal rights and keep you informed every step of the way.
The personal injury attorneys at Los Angeles Injury Group will handle all aspects of your legal claim so you can focus on your personal recovery process. Call today to find out how our personal injury attorneys at Los Angeles Injury Group can assist you. Contact us at (310)-954-7248.