How Does Winter Weather Contribute to Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?

As the holiday season arrives in Pennsylvania, so too does winter weather. From frost and fog to snow and ice, we typically experience several forms of winter weather each year. Unfortunately, all forms of winter weather can be dangerous for drivers, and as a result, many people find themselves in need of an experienced Allentown car accident lawyer after suffering injuries in weather-related collisions.

In Pennsylvania, the general rule is that you are entitled to financial compensation when you suffer injuries in a car accident that was the other driver’s fault. But what happens when winter weather is a factor?

How Winter Weather Impacts Car Accident Victims’ Legal Rights

When winter weather plays a role in causing a car accident, assessing your legal rights is no different from assessing your legal rights after any other type of collision. Determining whether you have a claim still involves determining whether the other driver was at fault—or whether some other factor may warrant a claim for liability.

Winter weather does not excuse drivers from exercising their best judgment. To the contrary, drivers need to be even more careful when visibility is limited or when there is snow or ice on the road. As a result, even if winter weather played a role in causing an accident, if the other driver’s negligence played a role as well, the driver can—and should—be held accountable.

Here are some examples of common winter weather-related accident scenarios:

• Driving Too Fast for the Conditions – In winter weather, even driving the speed limit can be dangerous. When it is difficult to see or the road is covered in ice or snow, drivers need to slow down. If you got hit by someone who was driving too fast for the conditions—regardless of the speed limit—you may have a claim for just compensation.
• Following Too Closely – While tailgating can be dangerous in any scenario, it can be especially dangerous during and after winter storms. It takes longer to stop when the roads are slippery, and this means that drivers need more room to brake in order to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front of them. If you got rear-ended in a winter weather-related accident, you may have a claim for just compensation in this scenario as well.
• Braking Harshly or Waiting Too Long to Brake – Braking harshly on a slippery road can cause drivers to lose control. Likewise, since it takes longer to stop when the roads are slippery, waiting too long to brake at a stop sign or stop light can prevent drivers from stopping in time to avoid a dangerous collision. These are both common winter driving mistakes that can serve as clear grounds for liability.
• Driving Distracted in Hazardous Conditions – Distracted driving is another dangerous practice that becomes even more dangerous in hazardous conditions. When the roads are slippery, drivers need to be prepared to slow down when necessary, and they need to be prepared to respond immediately to any potentially dangerous situations. Regardless of the weather conditions, if the driver who hit you was distracted, this is a clear justification for liability under Pennsylvania law.
• Failing to Conduct Necessary Maintenance or Clear Snow from a Vehicle – Worn brake pads, bald tires, burnt-out brake lights, and other maintenance issues can also become more dangerous when there is snow or ice on the road. Likewise, failing to remove snow from a driver’s vehicle can be extremely dangerous for other motorists. If your car accident was the result of neglected maintenance or a decision not to remove snow from a driver’s vehicle, these are also issues that can provide you with clear legal rights.

Again, these are just examples. Drivers can be held liable for causing winter weather-related accidents in many other scenarios as well. If you were injured in an accident that the other driver could—and should—have prevented, an experienced Allentown car accident lawyer will be able to help you seek just compensation.  

It is important to keep in mind that even if a driver was attempting to be safe, this does not excuse making a dangerous mistake behind the wheel. Regardless of why the other driver made a mistake, if you are suffering, you deserve to be fully and fairly compensated. This is true irrespective of the weather and road conditions at the time of the accident. In the vast majority of cases, filing a claim after a car accident involves dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company—and Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry liability insurance precisely to cover this type of scenario.

Non-Driver-Related Factors in Winter Weather Car Accidents

It is also important to keep in mind that while most car accidents result from driver negligence, non-driver-related factors can cause car accidents as well. If, for example, another driver’s brakes failed (or your brakes failed), you could have a claim for a vehicle defect. Or, if an issue with the road surface or road treatment was to blame, you could have a road defect claim against the government or a government contractor.

Vehicle defects can also be to blame for accident-related injuries. For example, if your airbags failed to deploy (or deployed improperly), this could give you grounds to file a claim against your vehicle’s manufacturer. When you hire an experienced Allentown car accident lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will examine all potential causes of your winter weather-related accident and ensure that he or she is seeking just compensation by all means available.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation with an Allentown Car Accident Lawyer Today

Were you injured in a winter weather-related car accident in Pennsylvania? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information about your legal rights. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Allentown car accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC as soon as possible, call us at 888-777-7098 or tell us how we can reach you online today.