Does Weather Impact Liability in Car Accidents?

Car accidents continue to be a major problem, claiming thousands of lives each year and causing significant injuries to dozens more. While negligence and overspeeding continue to be the major causes of car accidents, bad weather can be a significant contributor.

Apportioning blame in a car accident due to negligence is relatively simple; it’s a matter of proving that the driver acted recklessly. When a car accident occurs due to bad weather, things can get complicated when it comes to proving who’s responsible. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the accident, always contact a car accident lawyer.

Does Bad Weather Cause an Uptick in Car Accidents?    

It’s no secret that driving in bad weather isn’t fun. In addition to the inconveniences, inclement weather increases the risk of getting involved in a car accident. Several issues can arise when driving in bad weather. These include:

i)Poor visibility: Regardless of how experienced a car driver is, poor visibility can make it hard for them to control the vehicle properly while on the road. This could be due to not seeing other vehicles or misjudging distances between cars.

ii) Speeding: Driving in bad weather requires experience so as not to cause an accident. Inclement weather like heavy rainfall and ice on the road means that even cars driven at relatively low speeds go faster. A car driver can get into an accident just because they were driving at what is considered a normal speed.

iii) Hydroplaning: This is one of the major causes of speeding due to bad weather. The treads on car tires are meant to ensure that a vehicle always maintains a certain level of traction while being driven. Bad weather, like snowfall and a wet road due to heavy rains, severely compromises the ability of car tires to maintain traction on road surfaces. This means that a car can easily swerve when driven during bad weather, something that significantly increases the risk of an accident.

These are the main things that result due to inclement weather, making driving a treacherous activity.

Apart from snow and heavy rainfall, examples of inclement weather include:

– Sleet

– Heatwaves

-Blowing sand

-Severe crosswinds

-Hurricanes

-Heavy storms

Accidents due to the increased risk of driving in bad weather are often associated with winter conditions and rainfall. However, summer conditions like heat waves can be equally dangerous. For instance, extreme heat can cause fatigue and sleepiness, leading to poor driver performance that increases the risk of a car crash.

Who is Liable in the Case of Weather-Related Car Accidents?

While it’s a fact that inclement weather can be a significant contributor to car accidents, a driver is still the one to drive. This begs the question of who should be held responsible for a car accident during such conditions.

The answer to this question isn’t clear cut; it depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident and what could have transpired.

Every time a person chooses to drive a car, they assume a certain level of responsibility. A driver is expected to operate a car to a certain level of expectation. They have a duty to themselves and other road users.

For example, snowfall and heavy rains can make it difficult to drive because of the reduced traction. A driver is expected to drive slowly during such weather conditions. If a driver fails to adjust their speed appropriately during such inclement weather, they can be held liable for any resulting accident as long as it can be proven. This is one example of when a driver can be held accountable for a car accident due to bad weather.

Of course, the failure of the driver to adjust appropriately to the prevailing weather conditions isn’t the only factor used to determine their liability in such cases. Other factors to be considered include:

i)Distractions. This could be due to cellular phone usage while driving

ii) Failure to take heed of road signs or traffic laws in a specific area

iii) Reckless driving

iv) Operating a vehicle whose tires don’t possess the required amount of treads

v) Failure to account for increased stopping time. This means that a driver should always maintain a certain level of distance between their car and others on the road to avoid a collision due to increased stopping time.

vi) Poorly functioning or non-existent headlights and windshield wipers

As with any car accident, all the facts and circumstances surrounding the event will be analyzed. This will help investigators and all parties involved get an accurate picture of what happened. In this way, a reckless or incompetent driver cannot hide behind the excuse of bad weather.

All in all, the facts will dictate the role of bad weather in a car accident and how much blame (or not) can be placed on the driver.