Car Accident Lawyer
It is a common understanding that accidents are more likely to happen in icy conditions. After an accident, liability is always a big question. Who was negligent? In icy conditions, the answer may be more complicated. Here is how to determine fault in winter weather.
Did Your Car Lose Control?
Most car accidents in the snow involve more than one vehicle. If you were in an accident that only involved one, you may be wondering if someone else is liable. When you lose control of your car, you are at fault. Now, there are some situations where you may be able to hold the city accountable. For instance, if you were on a road that should have been maintained, you may have a case. In a collision with another vehicle, you have to look at who caused the accident. If another person’s car swerved out of control on black ice and wrecked with yours, then he or she is responsible.
Did You Have Warning of the Weather?
You cannot control the weather, so you may be wondering how you could be responsible if your car loses control in the ice or snow. As the driver, you are responsible for how you handle the weather. For instance, if it is a cold winter day, even if you do not notice black ice on the road, you should have reason to believe that there could be black ice on the road.
You have to prepare your vehicle for snow and ice. If you are not comfortable with your ability to drive in frigid conditions, then it is up to you to choose not to drive. The law is not on your side when if your car is the one to lose control. Likewise, this means that if another car collides with yours after slipping on the ice, then the other driver is at fault, rather than the snowy conditions.
After a car accident, liability is always the question at hand. You have to prove that the other driver was negligent or that he or she caused the accident. Whether you lost control of your car or you were in a collision due to someone else losing control, the snow and ice are not a defense. The only time ice can be a defense is in rare cases where there was no reasonable way for the driver to know the road’s condition. To discuss liability, consult with a car accident lawyer, like from Hickey & Turim, SC, today.