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One of the most common causes of car accidents is inclement weather. Rain, snow, ice, fog, and other weather conditions make for hazardous driving, limiting visibility and making it easy to lose control of the vehicle. If you have been injured in a weather-related car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Even if you are not sure you have a claim, a North Carolina car accident lawyer can help you understand your options. 

Weather Conditions That Lead to Car Accidents in North Carolina

Weather can affect a driver’s ability to drive safely in more ways than people expect, which is why it can cause so many accidents. 

Rain

Rain is probably the most common weather condition that leads to car accidents in North Carolina. Even a comparatively small amount of rain can unexpectedly make road surfaces slippery. Heavy rains can lead to pooling water that can cause hydroplaning, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle because the tires lose contact with the road. Rain can also decrease visibility, making it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead and avoid potential hazards in time. 

Snow

While snow in North Carolina may not be as common as in other states, we do get snow occasionally. Snow can make roads more slippery than many people expect, causing them to slide off the road or into other vehicles. Drivers need to reduce their speed, increase their stopping distance, and be careful not to follow other vehicles too closely. Falling snow can also limit a drivers’ visibility, making it difficult to see what is on the road ahead. 

Ice

Whether caused by freezing rain or snow, ice is one of the most dangerous road conditions drivers can face. Icy roads often lead to car accidents because drivers fail to drive according to the conditions. 

Fog

Fog is another hazard that often results in car accidents. Heavy fog can severely limit visibility, making it difficult to see other vehicles and the road ahead. When driving in fog, drivers need to slow down or perhaps pull off the road if they are unable to see and drive safely. 

Heavy Winds

Windy conditions may not be as common as other weather conditions, but they can be just as dangerous. Heavy winds can make it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles. Sudden gusts of wind can push cars into the adjacent lane or even off the road.  

What Should You Do if You Are Injured in a Weather-Related Accident?

Of course, the first thing you should do is seek medical care and follow your doctor’s prescribed treatment. If you have health insurance, the majority of your medical expenses should be covered. If the accident did not involve any other vehicles, your only recourse is to then pursue a claim through your insurance company for the damage to your vehicle. 

If there was another driver involved, be sure to get their name, contact information, and insurance information in case you need to pursue a claim. You should document as much information concerning the accident as possible. You should also contact the police while still at the scene. The police will prepare an accident report that may later prove to be helpful if you need to pursue a claim against the other driver. 

Weather-Related Accidents Are Often the Result of Negligence

Many people think that accidents due to bad weather are no one’s fault. If you were involved in a weather-related accident with another driver, there is a good chance that the other driver was negligent in some way. Drivers have an obligation to take reasonable care when driving in adverse weather conditions. This means that certain driving habits may be considered negligent that would not be when the weather is clear. For example: 

• Driving too fast for conditions even though the driver is not speeding
• Following other vehicles too closely
• Braking too hard
• Failing to turn on the vehicle’s headlights during rain

In addition, negligent drivers tend to drive no differently during bad weather than in normal conditions. As a result, the following examples of negligent driving could also have contributed to your accident:

• Unsafe lane changes
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Failing to yield
• Tailgating

In addition, the other driver’s negligent maintenance of their vehicle may also be to blame. Bald tires, broken tail lights, or burned-out headlights can all contribute to an accident during inclement weather. 

If you have been injured in a weather-related accident, your ability to recover compensation will depend on a careful analysis of the facts surrounding your case. An experienced North Carolina car accident attorney will be able to review your case and determine whether you have a claim. 

Other Sources of Potential Liability in Hazardous Weather Accidents 

Of course, not all weather-related car accidents are the result of someone else’s negligence. You may still be able to pursue a claim for compensation on some other basis. For example: 

• You may have a products liability claim against your vehicle’s manufacturer or a parts manufacturer if your accident was caused by a vehicle defect
• You may have a negligent repair claim against the mechanic or shop who last worked on your vehicle if your accident was caused by a mechanical failure
• You may have a claim due to issues with the road itself such as visual obstructions, potholes, or poor drainage

Contributory Negligence in Weather-Related Car Accidents

North Carolina law prohibits drivers whose own negligence contributed to the accident from recovering any compensation for their injuries. As a result, the insurance company may try to argue that your own negligence contributed to the accident in an attempt to deny your claim. While this rule often yields a harsh result, it is important to remember two things: 

1. The other party or their insurance company must prove that you were negligent; and
2. That your negligence contributed to the accident. 

The burden is on the other party to prove these two elements, but an experienced attorney can protect you against any such claims. 

Martin & Jones – Attorneys for People Injured in Weather-Related Accidents

If you have been injured in a weather-related accident, don’t assume that you have no chance at getting the compensation you deserve. With decades of experience, we know how to get results in tough cases. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today at 800-662-1234 to learn more about how we can help you. 

Hear it from our clients

“We hired Martin & Jones in March 2015 and Steven Corriveau became our personal lawyer. Steven is a true professional who is understanding and easy to communicate with. He clearly explained the legal process to us. We are confident in the specific information, advice and feedback he gives us and know that he always has our best interest in the case. He responds quickly to our questions and concerns being available 24 hours a day. As our legal journey continues we look at the number of contacts we have with Steven. There have been 52 plus phone calls and conversations, 50 plus emails, 3 plus personal meetings, and 18 plus legal documents. We are honored to have such a caring lawyer as Steven in a stressful situation, in which he makes the process less difficult. We highly recommend Steven Corriveau who is great, intelligent, persistent and will deliver to the client. Our expectations are very high and Steven is the best.” 

- Ronnie & Patricia

“We would like to express our gratitude to you (Hunt Willis) for accepting our case. First of all, when I called this law firm, a very sweet and kind lady answered the telephone and gave me assurance by asking and going over the accident with me, while my husband was in the hospital. I felt assured I was doing the right thing for us. She was so helpful in so many ways. What a professional lady. Secondly, we are much pleased that you have settled this case with the insurance company to receive the proper amount to assist us in so many ways. My husband and I are very happy with you and the firm in handling our case. You made us have confidence in your professional and integrity along with your assistant Ms. Routh, when you both came to see us in our home, in which we saw your compassion and thoughtfulness at that time. We will never forget what you have done for us, and we thank the lord for directing me to contact this firm. I’m glad I did.” 

- Linda

“I would like to leave a testimonial thanking Steven and Allison for their care and understanding. Steven’s pursuit and success in getting some compensation for our loss. A final closure of our loss of brother Mike. Thanks to Martin & Jones for looking after Mike’s care since his injury in 2005. You have been there for Mike and his family for a long time. Mike passed in 2016 and you stood for the family up to the present (July 2017). Many thanks.”

- Dan

“Thank you for always making me feel welcome and at ease in your office. I respect the work you do and your enthusiasm for it and am grateful for your talents.”

- Tracy

“Thank you for the work you have done for Carl and our family. We so much appreciate your sincere professionalism and kindness you showed us. I know Carl is smiling right now and the Lord has blessed us through you. May God bless you.”

- Connie, whose husband Carl worked as a brakeman for CSX Transportation and died of mesothelioma

“Thank you for your concern of my well-being every time I spoke with you. It always meant so much. I hear nothing but awful stories of dealing with attorneys and their offices, but I have had nothing but positive experience. You have many special ways of working with people in need of help. Words can never express the way your support has been so helpful. I pray you will continue to help others. I wish you all the best.”

- Mary

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