For most of us, our daily lives revolve around driving, commuting to work, school, or running errands, but one aspect that we often take for granted is vehicle safety. When driving is paired with an unexpected event such as inclement weather, it can present hazardous situations and increase the likelihood of accidents on the roads. We’ll discuss the impact of inclement weather on road and traffic conditions and liability in the event of a weather-related accident.
The Impact of Snow and Ice
Snow and ice can wreak havoc on the road, posing a serious threat to drivers and their vehicles. Here are some important facts and details to consider:
- Decreased Traction: Snow and ice can significantly decrease traction on roads, making it difficult for vehicles to maintain their grip and control. This can lead to skidding, sliding, and, ultimately, accidents.
- Longer Brake Distances: In snowy and icy conditions, vehicles require a longer distance to come to a complete stop. The slippery roads affect the brakes, making them less effective.
- Reduced Visibility: Heavy snowfall and blowing snow can create low visibility on the roads, making it difficult for drivers to see the road or other vehicles. It is, therefore, crucial to have proper headlights, windshield wipers, and defrosting systems in place.
- Black Ice: This is a type of ice that forms on the road surface, which is challenging to detect because it's transparent. Black ice poses a significant threat, as drivers can easily lose control and cause accidents.
- Snowplows: Snowplows play a critical role in eliminating snow and ice from the roads. However, drivers should exercise caution when driving near them as their actions can result in ice chunks flying towards other vehicles.
- SUVs and Trucks: While they may have an advantage in navigating through snow and ice, larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks can also experience difficulties in maintaining control. They weigh more and require a longer distance to come to a complete stop.
The Impact of Fog
Fog is considered one of the most dangerous weather conditions for motorists because it severely impairs vision and requires drivers to adjust their speed, use headlights, and take other necessary precautions to avoid accidents. Here are some of the ways fog can impact the safety of roads:
- Reduced Visibility: Fog reduces the visibility on roads, making it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and objects in their surroundings.
- Increased Risk of Accidents: Fog increases the likelihood of accidents, especially those related to rear-ending, sideswiping, and head-on collisions. A driver who does not take adequate precautions in the fog is more likely to veer off the road or collide with another vehicle, increasing the risk of fatalities and injuries.
- Slowed Traffic: Due to reduced visibility, traffic often slows down in foggy conditions. This can lead to congestion and traffic jams, causing delays and frustration for drivers, which leads to reckless or aggressive driving.
The Impact of Rain
Residents of the Pacific Northwest are no strangers to rain. Rainy weather can affect the safety of the roads, making it essential for drivers to exercise more caution while driving. Here are some of the impacts of rain on the roads and vehicles that drivers should be aware of:
- Decreased Traction: Rain can make the road surfaces slippery, increasing the risk of skidding or losing control of the vehicle.
- Reduced visibility: Rain can also reduce visibility, making it difficult to see road conditions, other vehicles, or pedestrians.
- Hydroplaning: When driving on wet roads at high speeds, your vehicle can lose contact with the road surface, leading to hydroplaning. This can cause a loss of control over the vehicle, making it a significant hazard.
- Flooded areas: In certain areas, heavy rainfall can result in flooding, with areas like the Mercer Street underpass in Seattle becoming highly dangerous during times of excessive rainfall.
- Slowed Traffic: Due to reduced visibility and the threat of hydroplaning, traffic often slows down in rainy conditions. This can lead to congestion and traffic jams, causing delays and frustration for drivers, which leads to reckless or aggressive driving.
Who Is Liable in a Weather-Related Accident?
Car accidents can be a traumatic experience, regardless of whether they are caused by driver negligence or uncontrollable factors such as severe weather conditions. In any case, compensation for your damages is a crucial factor to consider post-accident. However, determining liability in weather-related accidents can be tricky.
Driver Liability in Weather-Related Car Accidents
In general, every driver is expected to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel, regardless of the weather conditions. This means that drivers must adapt to immediately changing conditions and operate their vehicles in a way that avoids accidents by braking well in advance, reducing their speed, and maintaining a safe following distance, among other things. If a driver fails to exhibit reasonable care, they could shoulder the liability for the accident.
Governmental Liability in Weather-Related Accidents
In some situations, the government may be held responsible for the accident. For example, if an entity such as a city or state is charged with maintaining roads but fails to fix potholes and poorly lit intersections or maintain snow and ice, it might be held liable for any damages or personal injuries that occur as a result.
When a claim involves government agencies, the procedures for filing a claim are more complicated than usual, and different protocols are involved. The time frames for filing a claim with a government entity are typically relatively short, making it crucial to seek legal advice quickly.
Insurance Liability in Weather-Related Accidents
The vast majority of drivers in the United States carry car insurance, which exists to protect them in the event of an accident. Auto insurance falls into two categories, namely comprehensive and liability. Liability coverage provides protection if you cause an accident resulting in damages or personal injuries to other parties. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, protects you from non-collision losses such as natural disasters, vandalism, or other catastrophic events.
In most cases, when the weather causes a car accident, auto insurance coverage is the primary method of recovery for consumers. Depending on the type of insurance policy that you have, you may be entitled to recover compensation for loss and damages that result from the accident, regardless of the cause.
The Team at Carpenter & Zuckerman Is Here to Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident and need legal help, don't hesitate to contact our Seattle car accident attorneys today. We are here to help you understand your legal rights and fight for the justice you deserve.
We understand the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize payouts, and we are committed to ensuring that our clients receive fair and just compensation for their injuries. We offer our services on a contingency basis, meaning that we only charge fees if we recover compensation on your behalf–you’ll have nothing to lose by working with us.
To schedule a free consultation, call us at (425) 585-4009 or contact us online. We represent clients throughout Washington state, including Seattle, Tacoma, and Pierce County.