Even the most experienced motorist may find it difficult to deal with slippery surfaces and reduced vision during the winter. Nevertheless, whoever is behind the wheel takes responsibility for driving safely and adapting to changing road conditions.
When driving in terrible weather, reducing your speed, avoiding slamming on the brakes, and being aware of your limits is acceptable. This is because a driver’s duty of care expects them to behave as a reasonable person would in particular circumstances. Although poor road conditions may worsen difficulties and make them more hazardous, drivers are nonetheless liable for any occurrences that arise from their negligent or reckless behavior while operating a car. Therefore, if you end up in a car accident in Vegas and need a lawyer, contact us here.
How weather impacts liability of car accidents
Although driving in severe weather might be more challenging, you can use various driving strategies to safely make it to your final location. In severe weather, remember the following tips:
- Drive carefully, especially if there is the possibility of water on the road.
- Do not use the cruise control.
- Increase the distance that you have between you and other vehicles when stopping.
- Plan to leave sooner than normal to give yourself extra time to reach your location.
- Make sure your vehicle has the capacity to handle rainy weather conditions.
- Slowly accelerate and brake.
- If you observe that your car begins to slide, turn into a skid.
- If driving in bad weather makes you nervous, stay at home.
Why Do Car Accidents Increase In Bad Weather?
Simply said, driving a car on a sunny day in the summer is far easier than driving a car in the rain, strong winds, or other bad weather. Visibility can be affected by bad weather, which can also result in hazardous driving conditions. The worst condition for drivers is rain. Surprisingly, 46% of all weather-related collisions are caused by rain.
Rain is not the sole type of bad weather that can prove difficult and dangerous for drivers, even though it can be hazardous by making the roads slippery. Although sleet, snow, and ice are also quite dangerous, they are not as frequently involved in accidents overall as they are more common in just a few areas in the United States.
Who Is Responsible for a Car Accident Caused by the Bad Weather?
Liability determinations consider a driver’s overall manner of driving and their tendency to speed under bad weather. To figure out if the driver was being careless or was at fault for the accident, several other criteria may be taken into consideration.