Grand Prairie regularly gets rain, flooding, fog, hailstorms, strong winds, driving toward the sun during sunrise or sunset, and occasional snow and ice. Adverse weather-related reduced visibility caused by fog and rain happens frequently and may seriously affect the mobility and safety of drivers.
If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle crash during inclement weather, you should seek help from a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer could help with Grand Prairie car accidents involving bad weather.
Warning Signs Of Hazardous Weather
Inclement weather is reported on the news and quickly disseminated. Most of the time, warnings appear on the cellphones before a person heads out to their destination. It is important to listen and adhere to the local news when they give warnings regarding road and weather conditions, especially when someone is headed out in bad weather that will affect their travel.
Often, there are warnings of flooding or other hazardous weather conditions. A driver should not cross the road when the water comes over the roads during flooding. Vehicles could get swept away when it is flooding.
In the event of inclement weather, when someone is heading out, it is advisable to let somebody know where they are headed and their estimated time of arrival. If they are stranded, somebody would know to call for help.
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Steps to Take Before Operating a Vehicle During Inclement Weather
In weather-related car accidents, as with any other time on the roadway, drivers are expected to act responsibly. During inclement weather, drivers are expected to take extra precautions to avoid accidents. Depending on the circumstances, driving responsibly may mean driving under the speed limit, taking turns slowly, using hazard lights, and pulling over when visibility is impaired.
When determining fault in a weather-related car accident, road conditions may be taken into consideration along with the actions of all the drivers involved. When one driver loses control of their vehicle, such as hydroplaning, and they hit another vehicle, the driver who hydroplanes is almost always found liable for the crash.
In some situations, when both drivers lose control of their vehicles and hit each other, the responding police officer may decide that each driver needs to take responsibility for themselves and not hold anyone person at fault since drivers are expected to act responsibly.
Even during the most severe weather conditions, when one driver loses control of the vehicle and causes an accident to occur, they are found liable for any injuries and damages that were caused.
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Evidence Used In a Car Crash Case
There are various types of evidence that could be used in a car crash case involving bad weather. The lawyer for the injured party may use the police report if available, and the officer notes the weather conditions at the time of the crash. They look for any potential evidence or video of the crash and tries to get witness statements from anyone who saw the accident occur. The attorney also obtains a weather report for the date and time of the accident.
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What If There Was Not Another Vehicle Involved?
When someone is involved in a car accident during severe weather conditions who did not lose control and cause the accident, they should consider contacting an experienced attorney for legal advice.
If they were involved in a single-vehicle crash, it is difficult to prove that another driver could be liable for damages. There could be a product liability case for defective tires or something else substandard on the automobile they were driving. That may be an avenue to pursue in death cases or catastrophic events. This is why it is always important to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney who can help with Grand Prairie accidents involving bad weather.
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Preventative Measures
The safest bet for staying out of a weather-related accident is to avoid driving in bad weather conditions, if possible. Sometimes, people are trying to get somewhere, and in those cases, they should follow these tips:
- Always turn on the headlights, so other cars are able to spot the vehicle from much further down the road
- Increase the following distance. A person needs to drive three feet behind the car in front of them if they are traveling at 20 miles per hour because of bad weather conditions.
- Lower the speed. Braking in poor conditions can take much longer compared to normal conditions, especially in the case of an ice-covered road.
- Always make sure the car is equipped to deal with the conditions at hand. Check the battery, windshield wipers, wiper fluid, anti-freeze, and make sure everything is in good working order on the automobile.
- Be extremely careful around intersections.
- Avoid unnecessary lane changes.
- Drivers should remain completely focused on the situation and the driving conditions ahead. Cellphone distraction is one of the leading causes of accidents.
How An Attorney Could Help Those Who Are Involved In An Accident Due To Poor Weather Conditions
The at-fault driver’s insurance carrier often tries to place blame on the injured party when there were bad weather conditions. They may claim the client is just as much to blame as the at-fault driver and decide they are not going to offer to pay anything.
It is extremely difficult to negotiate with insurance adjusters who try to use what the client says to avoid paying their claim. If the person admits the roads were dangerous and slick, that may enough for the insurance company to deny their claim.
With the help of an experienced car accident attorney, the client has a much better chance of receiving the full amount of compensation they are owed. Their attorney handles all negotiations with the insurance company and does not let them take advantage of the client during such a difficult time. Call today to discuss your case and how an attorney could help with Grand Prairie accidents involving bad weather.
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