How Winter Weather Can Lead to More Car Accident Cases

Thursday, December 10, 2020

How Winter Weather Can Lead to More Car Accident Cases

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Winter weather and poor driver behaviors can be a recipe for disaster. If you got caught up with someone in bad weather who wasn’t driving at their best and paying attention to how the conditions impacted the roads, you could pay for it for the rest of your life.

Winters are often unkind to Chicago area residents and drivers. You’ve probably seen your fair share of accidents on wintry weather roads while you travel to your office, school, or while you are out running errands. It’s no surprise that accidents increase when the temperatures drop. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, 116,800 individuals are injured in car crashes on the snowy, slushy, or icy pavement every year, and almost 76,000 people are injured in car accidents during snowfall or sleet. If you were in a winter weather accident, you can count on a Chicago car accident lawyer to advocate for your legal rights.

Causes of Winter Car Accidents

Winter weather brings unique driving situations and factors. If drivers are not careful and cognizant of these factors, the chances of an accident increases. For example:

• Snow, sleet, and ice decrease pavement friction and vehicle maneuverability. 
• Limited visibility and reduced friction make slower speeds necessary.
• Blowing snow can cause lane obstructions and visibility problems.
• Stopping times and distances increase.
• Driving near snowplows requires knowledge of how they operate.

Speeding, following other vehicles too closely, and the failure to maintain a vehicle or have tires in good repair can all lead to winter accidents. Even drunk driving accidents increase during the winter months since drivers aren’t as likely to take public transportation or walk instead of driving themselves. No matter what factors led to your winter driving accident, a seasoned Chicago car accident attorney can help determine who is at fault.

Does Winter Weather Exempt Drivers from Liability?

Weather conditions can undoubtedly make driving tricky. However, the presence of adverse road and weather conditions doesn’t mean that accidents are acceptable. It means that drivers must drive with more skill and care than when these conditions aren’t present. Weather is not an excuse. Drivers may need to adjust their speed well-below the speed limit or increase following distances to prevent accidents. Perhaps they might even need to pull over and drive at all while the weather is bad. Drivers are still liable for accidents they cause in bad weather, even if a Chicago car accident lawyer is needed to hold them or their auto insurance company accountable.

Discuss Your Winter Crash with a Seasoned Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today 

Sometimes it can be hard to understand how an accident happened or who is responsible. In these cases, it’s best to speak with an experienced attorney about your accident. They can get to the bottom of how and why the accident occurred, thus determining who is liable for your damages. 

Contact us to receive your free no-obligation consultation with a Chicago car accident attorney at Malman Law today. To get in touch, call (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form.