Health
Stormy Weather Driving: Do Bad Conditions Lessen Wreck Liability?
Bad weather can cause many problems, and power outages and property damage are just a few of these. The largest problem that poor weather brings is conflicts on the road. Heavy rain, hail, sleet, and snow all create hazardous driving conditions.
Snow and sleet give the most problems to drivers due to the uncertainty of ice on the roads. Roads that are well cleared and salted can still have icy patches on them, causing drivers to lose control. Additionally, many people suffer from winter-time colds and take over-the-counter medications to fight the symptoms. Most people do not realize that these medications can also impair their ability to drive well.
Is The Driver Still Responsible For An Accident?
In most cases, weather conditions do not eliminate the responsibility of the driver who is at fault during an accident. In fact, there are many times when the actions of the driver during the bad weather lead to further responsibility. For example, a driver that is speeding during a snowstorm may be charged with reckless driving in addition to being held responsible for any accident they may have caused due to their actions.
Drivers are expected to know how to adjust their driving skills in different types of weather. Bad weather does not excuse them from responsible driving habits, nor is it an excuse when something does occur. An insurance company may cite the weather as an issue in an effort to reduce compensation, but a skilled attorney will see past this ploy.
If you have been involved in an accident during bad weather, you may want to get legal help. Whether you seek an Inglewood or an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, they will aggressively represent your claim to the insurance company of the at-fault driver. After all, insurance companies are not in business to pay claims. While this is their business model, the truth is, the less they have to pay out, the better their profit margin. Victims of an accident should always keep in mind that their best interest is not the same as the insurance companies.
Are Your Claims Protected If You’re the Victim?
You should seek the services of a personal injury attorney as soon as your injuries are stabilized. It is not uncommon for a representative of the insurance company to seek out a victim at the hospital while being treated to get a written or oral statement of the events. You should never speak to the insurance company before you speak to an attorney. Anything you tell the representative can have an impact on your compensation. Only provide a statement under the guidance of your attorney.
How to be Safe Driving In Bad Weather?
The best thing that you can do during bad weather is to stay off the roads. However, this is not always logical or possible. People still have to go to work, visit the doctor or attend meetings, even if it is snowing or raining outside. If you must go out in bad weather, give yourself ample time to get to your destination.
Leaving early on a stormy day will allow you to drive slower and with more precaution. Make sure that all of your windows and outside mirrors are cleared of ice and snow, and always brush off your feet before entering your car. Many accidents occur because the driver’s feet were wet or icy and slipped on the pedal. Any driver causing an accident must face the responsibility of their actions, regardless of climate conditions in the driving area.