Inclement weather can affect driving safety any time of the year. While many people associate weather-related crashes with the winter, storms that produce high winds and precipitation can occur anytime. When the weather is one of the main contributing factors to a crash, the driver who is technically at fault may try to blame environmental factors instead of taking personal responsibility. They may insist that the weather was the reason the crash occurred.
Can people use inclement weather as an excuse for causing crashes that otherwise involve negligence or unsafe driving?
Inclement weather is relatively predictable
Major storms pass through the state regularly. Much of the time, people have advance notice of upcoming weather and can adjust their schedules to avoid driving when storms are at their worst.
Even if doing so is not possible, there are common-sense ways that people can adjust their driving to reduce the likelihood of causing a weather-related crash. Slower speeds, larger following distance and more gradual maneuvers are all important adjustments for those driving during active precipitation or while roads are still slick after a storm.
The failure to adjust driving habits to reflect road conditions can be a form of negligence and possibly also a violation of traffic statutes. While people may try to blame the weather for a crash, their choice to maintain excessive speeds, turn abruptly or drive too close to other vehicles may be the actual reason the crash occurred.
Reviewing the circumstances of a motor vehicle collision with a car crash lawyer can help people understand their rights. Both insurance claims and lawsuits are often possible even when weather factors contribute to major collisions.