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Hardly anyone enjoys driving through rain, sleet, snow, or any other kind of inclement weather, but sometimes doing that is the only to get to work, school, or someplace else that cannot wait until the storm passes. If you do get behind the wheel under these kinds of conditions, you must adjust your normal driving behavior to account for reduced traction and visibility. Failing to do so dramatically increases your risk of getting into a traffic accident.
Unfortunately, not everyone who drives during storms is responsible in this way, as you may have recently learned the hard way. If you have been hurt in a car accident involving bad weather in Philadelphia, you should contact an auto collision lawyer to discuss the possibility of civil recovery.
How Negligence Can Lead to Bad Weather Car Crashes
Regardless of what driving conditions they encounter, every person who operates a motor vehicle on public Pennsylvania roads has the same duty of care, requiring them to act lawfully and responsibly behind the wheel at all times. Someone who causes a crash specifically by breaching this duty in some way is legally negligent and can be held financially accountable for damages they cause through their negligence.
In addition to overtly illegal acts like speeding and drunk driving, someone can also be considered negligent if they fail to act responsibly in response to bad weather conditions—for example, if they continue to drive at the normal speed limit even though the road is iced up from a winter storm.
This means that even if someone technically did not break any laws, they can still be held civilly liable for a car wreck involving bad weather in Philadelphia.
What Damages Could Be Recoverable?
Someone found legally at fault for a car crash because they failed to adjust properly for bad road conditions can be made to pay for every short- and long-term loss resulting from that crash, including:
- Physical pain and suffering from injuries
- Psychological trauma from injuries and/or the accident itself
- Costs of emergency medical care, as well as expected costs of future rehabilitative and maintenance care
- Disability-related expenses for things like assistive equipment, home/vehicle modifications, and in-home care
- Lost working and earning capacity, as well as lost short-term wages and/or work-related benefits
- Lost enjoyment of life due to permanent disfigurement and/or disability
It is worth noting that Pennsylvania car insurance laws may restrict people with certain types of car insurance policies from filing suit over a bad weather car collision in Philadelphia. A qualified legal professional can explain this and other relevant laws in more detail during a confidential consultation.
Discuss a Possible Bad Weather Car Accident Claim With a Philadelphia Attorney
Rain or shine, every driver in the Commonwealth is expected to act responsibly behind the wheel by obeying the law and looking out for hazards near them. Anyone who irresponsibly fails to adjust for inclement weather while driving may be considered legally at fault for any crash they end up involved in—even if they were technically not breaking any laws at the time of the wreck.
This kind of case can be complex, so it is not something you should try pursuing on your own. Call today to learn what an experienced lawyer can do for you after a car accident involving bad weather in Philadelphia.
