Car Accidents Involving Bad Weather in Seguin
Bad weather increases the likelihood of car accidents and the risk that they will be serious or even fatal. Motorists are responsible for adjusting their driving according to weather conditions, which generally means reducing speed and proceeding with utmost caution. Drivers who fail to take proper weather-related precautions risk causing accidents and injuries.
Car accidents involving bad weather in Seguin are not uncommon. If you have been injured due to another driver’s negligence, it is time to consult with an experienced accident attorney at Felix Gonzalez Law.
The Effects of Weather on the Road
While the area enjoys relatively mild winters that only occasionally include light snow, it is prone to heavy rains, high winds, hailstorms, and flash flooding. When these dangerous weather conditions are present, Seguin’s roadways become hazardous for motorists.
Even a small amount of moisture can mix with the oil in our roadways, making them extremely slippery. Deep water on the road increases the risk of hydroplaning, with a complete loss of control over the vehicle. High speeds add to the danger.
High winds make maintaining vehicular control more challenging and often bring debris, which can make the road slippery and difficult to navigate. Bad weather can also significantly decrease visibility, amplifying the associated dangers.
It is difficult to overstate the risks associated with driving in bad weather. However, everyone who encounters hazardous weather on the road is responsible for making the adjustments necessary to proceed safely.
Weather-Related Car Accident Claims
In Seguin, various legal elements contribute to successful car accident claims involving adverse weather conditions.
Duty of Care
Drivers across the nation have a duty of care to all road users, which means they have a responsibility for the safety of others. This responsibility entails taking all necessary actions to safely navigate adverse weather conditions while driving, including turning on the headlights, slowing down, and allowing other drivers more space on the road.
Breach of Duty
While driving, every driver’s responsibility is heightened in response to bad weather. What may be considered safe driving when the weather is fine can be exceptionally dangerous when the weather is bad. For example, the posted speed limit is the top speed that motorists should reach under ideal conditions; however, when the weather turns foul, conditions are far from ideal, and drivers must take this fact into careful consideration.
Excessive speed is a factor in many fatal traffic accidents. Motorists who fail to take the necessary precautions to limit the effects of bad weather, including reducing their speed, breach their duty of care to others. This is where negligence enters the car accident claim, with other common examples of negligence including distraction and impairment, as outlined in Texas Penal Code § 49.
Driver Negligence Causing a Loss-Inducing Accident
To make a claim, a motorist’s failure to accommodate the risks associated with bad weather must have been the direct cause of the accident in question, with the claimant suffering legal damages as a result. These damages refer to losses addressed by the law, which include the following:
- Property damage to the claimant’s car and its contents
- Medical expenses, including current and ongoing healthcare costs
- Lost income, which may stem from an altered career path and lost earning potential
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Future losses, including permanent disability or disfigurement
An attorney could account for all losses in a claim for compensation.
Contact a Seguin Attorney Today About Your Weather-Related Crash
Car accidents involving bad weather in Seguin are all too common. If you have been injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, you need support from a legal representative.
The car accident attorneys at Felix Gonzalez Law have a reputation for guiding challenging cases like yours toward optimal outcomes. Learn more by calling or contacting us online today.
