The record breaking winter of 2014 has wreaked havoc on our roads, resulting in thousands of car accidents. Although most of these accidents are relatively minor, some are life changing for the people involved. Each of us has a duty to drive our cars safely. That’s the only way millions of us can get into our vehicles every day, travel at highway speeds and expect to arrive safely at our destination. But when someone fails to live up to that duty, they can be held responsible for injuries resulting from their failure. But can someone be held responsible for causing an accident if the bad winter weather is at least partially at fault?
Rather than absolve a driver of fault for an accident, poor road conditions may actually increase the level of care a driver is required to exhibit. For instance, a driver who is traveling the speed limit on icy roads may be traveling far too fast for the conditions, and their adherence to the speed limit is no excuse for causing an accident.
Likewise, a person whose car slides into another because his or her tires were bald and unable to slow the car on the snow can’t use the tires’ condition as excuse to get out of their financial responsibility for the accident. Every driver is charged with responsibility for ensuring that their vehicle is safe to drive on the roads under existing conditions.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident during severe weather conditions due to someone else’s negligence, you might have a right to financial recovery for your injuries. But don’t let the weather’s effect on the accident muddle your case. Seek out an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney who can efficiently sort through the facts and evaluate your case.