Who Is Liable When Bad Weather Causes a Car Crash in St. Louis?

Adverse weather conditions often factor into car accidents in St. Louis. Heavy rain, snow, fog, wind, and black ice can make driving more dangerous. When drivers fail to adjust their driving practices to account for the weather, they may be held liable for a car accident they cause in adverse conditions.

How Is Liability Determined for a Weather-Related Accident?

Even though bad weather can be a factor in a car accident, motorists may bear liability for injuries and losses if their negligence contributed to the accident. For example, a driver who fails to adjust their driving behaviors in response to adverse weather and loses control of their vehicle could be responsible for an accident that results.

Factors Considered in Determining Fault

When adverse weather conditions contribute to a car accident, determining fault for the crash will depend on various factors and evidence. Some of the things that an insurance company or the court might consider in assigning responsibility for a car accident include:

• Weather conditions – Challenging weather conditions like heavy precipitation or fog can increase the chances of a car accident, especially when drivers fail to adjust their driving behavior to account for these hazards.
• Road conditions – Bad weather can also worsen road conditions, especially when rain, snow, or ice causes the road to become slick.
• Traffic signals and signs – Whether drivers followed traffic signs and signals in bad weather may also factor into determining fault, such as whether drivers continued to speed in foul weather.
• Driving behaviors – Drivers who fail to change their driving behaviors in response to bad weather conditions, including slowing down and increasing following distance, may bear liability for a weather-related car accident.
• Eyewitness accounts – Eyewitnesses can help determine fault for a weather-related car accident when the drivers involved have conflicting recollections of the crash.
• Police reports – Police accident reports can provide an unbiased review of the evidence from an accident because police officers receive training in investigating crashes.
• Expert analysis – Accident reconstruction experts can provide opinions based on scientific principles, stating the extent to which weather conditions and driver negligence contributed to the accident.

How Our Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Crash in Bad Weather

If you’ve gotten hurt in a car crash in bad weather, our lawyers are ready to help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses by:

• Recovering evidence from the accident to prove the other driver’s fault
• Calculating your ongoing and future expected losses from your injuries
• Identifying liable parties and options for compensation, including applicable insurance coverage
• Filing your claims and aggressively negotiating for maximum compensation in a settlement
• Taking your case to court and trial when necessary to seek compensation from an at-fault driver

Talk to Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers for Free Today

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident in bad weather, we are ready to evaluate your legal options for pursuing compensation for your losses. Contact the Sumner Law Group, LLC, today for a free no-obligation consultation with our St. Louis car accident lawyers. We want to help you seek financial relief for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses.