Anyone who has driven in snow or heavy rain has noticed the tendency of some drivers to ignore the bad weather conditions. There’s a reason bad weather leads to more accidents. Drivers are obliged to always drive safely, even in bad weather. However, that isn’t always the case.
Driving in Bad Weather Conditions
It is possible to drive safely, even in bad weather. Drivers have a general duty to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. They must obey all traffic laws and regulations, but they must also adjust their behavior to suit the conditions around them.
Racing at dry weather speeds during a rainstorm ignores the fact that there is a loss of traction when the roads are wet. This is especially true when there is ice on the road. Speed limits are put into place based on dry weather and daylight conditions. It is important for drivers to reduce their speed to avoid accidents.
In addition, drivers need to take reduced visibility into account whenever there is bad weather. New York law requires that drivers use windshield wipers in rainy conditions. Make sure your windshield wipers are replaced regularly and are in good working order. Not being able to properly see the road can be a deadly situation.
Drivers should also be careful not to follow too closely behind the car in front of them. This is especially true in icy conditions. Stopping a vehicle on wet or icy roadways can take a longer distance and more time.
Is it Negligence?
No matter what the weather conditions are, if driver is driving in an unsafe manner, it may be considered negligence. All drivers have an obligation to take the weather conditions into account when driving and to adjust their habits accordingly. Driving in inclement weather requires extra care and a failure to do so could be negligence. Determining negligence in a car accident involving bad weather can be complicated, so if you’re injured in a bad weather car accident, you may want to consult with a personal injury attorney.
Contact a New York Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident during inclement weather, you want an experienced car accident attorney on your side. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have been helping New Yorkers injured in car accidents for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.