Every year in California, people become injured as a result of an inclement weather car accident. According to the US Department of Transportation, over 1.2 million car accidents in the United States involve inclement weather. Over 418,000 people suffer injuries, and nearly 5,000 people died due to inclement weather car accidents. Wet pavement and rainfall are a factor in the majority of inclement weather car accidents.
If you or your loved one have suffered an injury due to an inclement weather car accident, SoCal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have helped many Los Angeles area drivers recover compensation for serious injuries. When you’ve suffered injuries from an inclement weather car accident, we are here to help. Contact our Los Angeles personal injury law firm today to schedule your initial consultation.
Car Accidents Caused By Fog
When the seasons change from summer to fall, Los Angeles residents can experience fog covering the roadways. When fog sets in, roadways become less visible. Drivers have a legal duty to operate their motor vehicles with more caution than normal when fog descends on the roads. Drivers should drive defensively and pay close attention to the cars in front of them.
If possible, drivers may need to pull over and park until the fog lifts or reduce their speed to avoid a motor vehicle collision. When drivers fail to use necessary caution during foggy conditions, they are liable for the resulting car accident injuries.
Car Accidents Caused By Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms
The majority of inclement weather car accidents happen during rainfall on wet pavement and asphalt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 70% of weather-related car accidents happen on wet asphalt or pavement, and 46% occur during rainfall. Los Angeles area drivers are often not used to driving in dangerous rainy conditions. Every time it rains have Lee in Los Angeles, the percentage of car accidents increases.
Heavy rainfall can make asphalt unmanageable and slick, sometimes causing drivers to slide off the road. During heavy rain, drivers are more likely to hydroplane out of control and collided with another vehicle. Drivers have a legal duty to drive more carefully during heavy rain. When drivers fail to use reasonable care when driving in the rain or during a thunderstorm, injured victims can hold them accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
Car Accidents Caused By Snow and Ice
Los Angeles drivers don’t have to contend with ice very often because of our mostly sunny weather. However, many Los Angeles drivers head to Northern California for vacation or weekend trips in the winter. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to cause a collision in icy or snowy conditions. Even small pieces of hail during summer thunderstorms can cause distractions that result in car accidents. When ice Falls during winter thunderstorms in Northern California, patches of black ice can form on the road, endangering drivers long after the ice stopped falling.
Car Accidents Caused By California Wildfires
California has been dealing with seemingly endless wildfires for the last several years. Wildfires and the large plumes of smoke they cause can interfere with a driver’s ability to see in front of them. In some cases, drivers must contend with many miles of heavy dark smoke. During California wildfires, drivers often contend with large crowds of Motor Vehicles trying to escape the dangerous area.
Overcrowding of Highways and the debris and smoke caused by the fires are all factors that can contribute to a severe car accident. Multiple vehicle pile-up collisions are not unusual during California’s wildfire season. Heavy smoke can also interfere with a driver’s breathing, and strong winds can kick up and blow debris that interferes with the driver’s ability to see effectively. Heavy winds can also blow over power lines and traffic signs. All of these factors can contribute to car accidents.
Proving Liability After an Inclement Weather Car Accident
California drivers should not ignore inclement weather conditions. Under California law, victims of car accidents can hold drivers who fail to use reasonable care when driving. Reasonable drivers adjust their driving during inclement weather events to drive more safely. When drivers use excessive speed, fail to slow down, or dangerously pass other vehicles during inclement weather, they put themselves and others at risk. When drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or distracted by texting or talking during inclement weather, they are liable for any negligent driving causes.
Damages Available After an Inclement Weather Car Accident
If you or your loved one have suffered injuries because of another driver’s negligent behavior during inclement weather, you have the right to recover damages. Successful plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits can recover all of the economic and non-economic damages they’ve suffered due to their injuries.
Economic damages include your current and future medical cost, the cost to repair your property, including your car, and compensation for your lost wages. Many people who’ve suffered severe injuries require ongoing medical assistance or care, and recovering damages through a personal injury lawsuit is an important part of preparing for the future. You can also recover compensation for your lost future earning capacity due to your injuries.
Non-economic damages are also available and include compensation for emotional distress, pain, and suffering. When the at-fault driver acts egregiously, California courts can impose punitive damages on top of Economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault driver and to send a message to other drivers.
Contact Our Experienced Lawyers As Soon As Possible
If you have suffered a severe injury from an inclement weather car accident, you may be entitled to damages. At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and resources to advocate for your right to compensation. Contact our law firm as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation.