In the state of Pennsylvania, we are no strangers to the presence of inclement weather conditions on the road caused by rain, snow, sleet, hail, and ice. During rainy weather or other types of bad weather, it is important that a reasonable driver exercise reasonable care when on the road in order to avoid causing a weather-related accident.
For many people, inclement weather conditions are a good reason to stay home and avoid driving. However, sometimes that is just not possible. Even though there is bad weather, we still need to get to work, drive the kids to school, complete essential daily activities, and a host of other necessities. When we must drive in poor weather, it is critical to maintain control of the vehicle, obey the posted speed limit, and exercise caution.
A combination of bad weather conditions on the road and a driver’s negligence tends to be a formula for a serious motor vehicle accident. In a car accident case, the injuries can be very severe, depending on the situation, and the injured party deserves to receive fair compensation for their losses.
Anyone involved in weather-related accidents should contact a skilled personal injury attorney in Media, PA, such as ours at the Law Offices of Michael Alan Siddons, to provide help in determining negligence and to fight for the compensation they deserve. Just because inclement weather is present, that does not give drivers the right to drive recklessly or potentially lose control of their vehicles.
Weather Conditions and Road Safety
As anyone who has ever driven on roads during slippery conditions or dangerous weather will know, it takes clear focus and concentration to maintain vehicle control. Your driving habits will change during inclement weather because the duty of care to maintain control of the vehicle becomes more difficult. When you are exercising caution, but some other driver fails to do so, an auto accident is very likely.
Poor weather leads to icy road conditions, slippery roads, and even unusual vehicle movement (i.e., strong winds moving the vehicle sideways). A driver’s vehicle becomes much more than transportation at that point – it can be a weapon when other drivers involved do work to prevent a car crash. The result can be catastrophic accident injuries, especially when other factors besides the bad weather play a role in the cause of the collision.
Liability for Car Accidents When Weather Conditions Are a Factor
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding auto accidents and negligence is how liability is determined by an insurance company or judge. Quite frankly, the answer boils down to the attorneys who are working on the car accident case.
As your personal injury lawyers, our law firm will work diligently to investigate the circumstances of your accident and figure out if the weather was the only cause or if a driver failing to maintain his duty of care is the true cause of the car accident.
Just because the bad weather conditions have created dangerous roads, that does not let a negligent driver off the hook for causing a car accident. Our legal team at the Law Offices of Michael Alan Siddons will examine your situation and work to prove that the other driver’s actions actually caused the accident.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Prove Negligence in Weather-Related Car Accidents?
Our personal injury attorneys will gather evidence from the car accident scene to help determine liability. If the at-fault driver was breaking the speed limit, driving erratically or recklessly, or otherwise ignoring the duty to drive safely in poor road conditions, we would build a strong case to prove that.
Basically, the foundation on which the car accident claim will be built is the comparison of the at-fault driver’s behavior compared to another reasonable motorist in the same conditions. When the weather plays a role, it is important to figure out how a safe driver would have reacted to the road conditions to avoid head-on crashes, rear-end collisions, and even fender benders.
If poor visibility, icy conditions, or heavy rainfall should have caused the driver to slow down and act more cautiously, anything other than that action could be considered negligence. When negligence is proven, then the at-fault driver could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused by the auto accident.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you decide to enter into an attorney-client relationship, you will reap the benefits of that attorney’s experience, expertise, and skills in and out of the classroom. Our lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael Alan Siddons in Media, PA, are here to fight for your best interests and to work to get you the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Our legal team has vast experience dealing with the auto insurance company as well as determining who should be held responsible for the injuries you sustained in a car accident with other vehicles. Even in the winter months, when the roads are potentially ice-covered and slick, a negligent driver can and should be held accountable for his actions. Our team will work to make that a reality.
Contact a Knowledgeable Attorney in Media, PA, for Help in Determining Liability in Your Weather-Related Crash
If you or a loved one was involved in a serious car accident caused by the negligence of another driver who did not exercise caution when driving on wet roads, you might be eligible to file an injury lawsuit. At the Law Offices of Michael Alan Siddons, our legal team is here to help you prove the driver’s negligence and fight for compensation.
We offer a free consultation to discuss your case, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means that if we do not win, you do not have to pay our legal fees. Contact us today to schedule your free case review and to find out if you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver.
