Bad weather, like rain, fog, and occasional snow, can make safe driving more difficult. Determining liability in car accidents involving bad weather in Hutto can be complicated. If weather is the only factor, there usually is no one else who can provide compensation for your expenses. However, poor weather is often one factor in an accident with multiple causes. When this happens, you may be able to file a lawsuit or insurance claim. A car accident attorney can help you choose the right option for your situation.
Bad weather can limit visibility and make roads slippery. Weather conditions can also combine with poor road conditions like potholes, cracks, and uneven sections to make them even more dangerous. All of this increases the risk of both single-vehicle accidents and collisions with other vehicles.
In some cases, all the drivers involved in an accident were driving carefully and following traffic laws, and bad weather caused an unavoidable crash in Hutto. If this happens, no one would be legally responsible for the accident. However, it is more common for at least one of the drivers to be negligent or careless and for this to contribute to the accident as well.
Expectations for safe driving can also change in bad weather. For example, drivers should reduce their speed when visibility is poor, so driving the speed limit could be considered unreasonable during a storm. If driver error is a factor, one or both drivers will usually be liable. If poorly maintained roads contributed to the accident, the local government in charge of those roads could be responsible. For this to happen, the roads usually need to be in bad enough condition that a reasonable person would consider them unsafe.
In a single-car accident or an accident where the injured person is the only one responsible, options for compensation will be limited. If the injured person has personal injury protection included in their car insurance policy, this may cover lost wages and out-of-pocket medical expenses. Drivers with minimum coverage typically will not receive any compensation.
If another driver in Hutto caused the accident in bad weather, the injured person can file an insurance claim or a lawsuit. Texas uses an at-fault car insurance system, so anyone injured needs to file a claim with the responsible driver’s insurer. If the insurance company and the injured person cannot come to an agreement, the injured person might choose to sue. Damages in a lawsuit and an insurance settlement can both cover financial costs like medical bills and lost wages as well as intangibles like pain and suffering.
Car accidents involving bad weather in Hutto often involve negligence as well. If you were injured in this type of accident, you clearly cannot sue the weather, but you may be able to file a lawsuit against another driver. An attorney can help you determine who might be liable for your injuries and whether you have a strong legal case. A lawsuit can hold the other driver accountable and cover your expenses. Schedule a free initial consultation with Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm today.