Car Accidents Involving Bad Weather in St. Louis

Inclement weather can lead to terrible accidents when drivers lose control of their vehicles on hazardous roads. Car accidents involving bad weather in St. Louis can result in serious injuries for the drivers and passengers involved. Even with poor weather conditions, drivers can still be negligent if they fail to drive safely.

If someone’s careless driving during bad weather caused you to suffer injuries, a lawyer could help you pursue financial compensation. To learn more about how poor weather can impact driving conditions and increase the risk of accidents, contact an experienced car accident attorney today.

How Does Bad Weather Increase the Risk of Car Accidents?

St. Louis experiences a wide variety of weather conditions, from snow and ice in the winter, to heavy thunderstorms in the summer, all of which can negatively affect driving and cause vehicle collisions. Any weather event that makes the roads wet or icy can send cars crashing into each other.

Additionally, hazardous conditions can make it difficult for drivers to stop, turn, and follow signs safely if they are not driving cautiously. Some common unfavorable weather systems can include:

• Snow: This weather event reduces traction, making stops and turns difficult when tires cannot grip the roadway. Even small amounts of snow can send cars spinning if drivers are not careful. Each year, about 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes happen on snowy or icy roads. Snow can make roads slippery and reduce visibility for drivers—a dangerous combination. Even vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive and snow tires can cause an accident if drivers do not use proper caution.
• Ice: Like snow, ice can make pavement slick and prevent drivers from turning and stopping normally. Ice is especially dangerous because it can be patchy or hard to see, such as black ice that blends with the pavement. Drivers must use extra caution in icy conditions to avoid serious accidents.
• Rain: Rain can also reduce tire traction, prompting hydroplaning, which can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Because of this and reduced visibility, drivers should reduce their speeds. Those who refuse to slow down can cause dangerous accidents.
• Fog: Foggy conditions can emerge suddenly. When fog blankets roadways, visibility may diminish severely. Drivers who fail to adjust for this condition can hit other vehicles and cause devastating injuries.

High winds, lightning, and other unusual weather events can also create hazardous conditions for vehicles. Drivers are responsible for adjusting to weather conditions and staying safe on the roads.

How Weather Affects Liability in Car Accident Claims

While bad weather can create dangerous road conditions, that does not remove a driver’s responsibility for an accident. If someone drives too fast, follows other vehicles too closely, does not allow enough space to brake in slippery conditions, or does not use their headlights, a court can find that driver negligent. Insurance companies will closely examine establishing fault in a crash that occurred during stormy conditions, and a knowledgeable St. Louis injury lawyer could carefully investigate negligence in a car wreck claim.

Contact an Attorney in St. Louis for Bad Weather Car Accident Claims

Inclement weather is no excuse for negligent driving. If another driver is at fault for your accident, they could be financially responsible for your losses. A personal injury attorney experienced with car accidents involving bad weather in St. Louis could investigate your collision and seek financial compensation on your behalf. Contact McCready Law today to schedule a free consultation.