Car Accident Lawyer Virginia Beach

You were driving home late on a snowy evening. The road was slick with ice, a storm blowing snow at your windshield. You slowed down to be cautious, but then another vehicle skidded across the median and crashed into you. You woke up in the hospital nursing a broken arm and bruised ribs. Soon, you were dealing with mounting medical bills, and the recovery process forced you to take time off work.

You may wonder if you can file a claim against that other driver for your damages. The weather conditions were terrible, and it was difficult driving for everyone. Can you still hold that driver responsible?

In the article below, we explain your rights when it comes to this sort of scenario. For more personalized assistance, contact our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers to go over the particulars of your case. At Shapiro, Washburn, & Sharp, we can guide you through your legal options when it comes to a car accident in bad weather conditions. Call us at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation.

What Are Bad Weather Conditions?

Bad weather includes various conditions that make roads tricky to navigate, often leading to accidents if drivers don’t adjust their behavior. These include:

Snow and ice: Snow falling on the roads when the temperature is freezing or below can cause them to become slippery, reducing tire traction and increasing the distance needed to stop. Black ice—icy roads without snow cover—is typically invisible, easily catching drivers off guard if they are going too fast.
Heavy rain: Torrential downpours decrease visibility and make vehicles vulnerable to hydroplaning, in which the tires lose contact with the road because of the water buildup. Standing water on roadways can also lead to a loss of control.
Fog: Fog can severely limit a driver’s ability to see other vehicles, road signs, and obstacles. If drivers don’t slow down, the risk of collisions increases.
High winds: Strong wind gusts can make it difficult to control a vehicle, especially larger ones like trucks and SUVs. Winds may also blow debris across the road or cause trees and powerlines to fall onto the roadways.
Sleet and freezing rain: Like snow and fog, these reduce visibility and lead to icy roads, making traveling extremely treacherous.
Extreme cold: Sub-zero temperatures can cause tires to lose pressure, making driving more dangerous. They can also reduce battery life and efficiency.

Any of these conditions require drivers to use extra caution and adjust their driving behaviors to ensure everyone’s safety. If they aren’t careful, they can cause accidents, potentially hurting themselves and others.

What Are the Different of Types Bad Weather Accidents?

Accidents in bad weather fall into several categories:

Rear-end collisions: These occur when one driver collides with the back of another. Drivers following too closely may struggle to stop on time on slippery roads, especially if they have to brake suddenly. Poor traction on icy or wet surfaces makes this more likely.
Multi-vehicle pileups: Fog or blizzard conditions worsen visibility, making it hard for drivers to react quickly when they see slow or stopped vehicles in front of them. One crash can quickly spiral into a chain-reaction pileup, especially when vehicles are going too fast.
Lane departure accidents: Vehicles skidding, sliding, or hydroplaning on slick roads can easily veer out of their lanes, potentially colliding with other vehicles.
Intersection crashes: When roads are icy and slick, drivers often struggle to stop at red lights or stop signs. The combination of reduced traction and overestimating braking capability can quickly result in a crash.

It’s not just bad weather conditions that cause these types of accidents. Many drivers fail to adjust their speed, following distance, or attention to the road. They assume their vehicles can handle bad conditions or underestimate how fast conditions can change.

Overconfidence, distractions, and a lack of preparedness on the driver’s part all contribute to road hazards, turning manageable conditions into dangerous ones.

What Are a Driver’s Responsibilities in Bad Weather?

In bad weather, every driver is responsible for operating their vehicle safely. That means they must adjust their driving habits to match the road conditions.

Reduce speed: This is always the first adjustment a driver must make. Driving too fast on wet or icy roads greatly increases the likelihood of losing control.
Maintain appropriate distance: In stormy conditions, drivers must give themselves more braking distance. Following too closely reduces the time they have to react to slowdowns and sudden stops.
Check vehicle condition: Before driving in bad weather, it’s important for drivers to make sure their vehicles can handle it. Worn tires, dull headlights, or faulty brakes can make driving in bad weather even riskier.
Avoid sudden lane changes: Quick lane shifts can cause a loss of control in bad weather conditions. Drivers must be very cautious when changing lanes.
Clearing windows and mirrors: Before getting on the road, drivers must make sure their windshields and mirrors are free of frost, ice, and snow so they can see well out of the vehicle.

When Might a Driver Be Held Liable for an Accident in Bad Weather?

Bad weather creates dangerous conditions, but that doesn’t mean drivers aren’t responsible for their driving behavior. They may be held liable in an accident if they do any of the following:

Drive too fast: One of the most common mistakes is driving too fast or failing to slow down in bad weather, which greatly increases the risk of an accident. A driver who fails to slow down and then causes a crash can be held liable for the damages.
Engage in distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, eating, or engaging in other types of distraction while driving in bad weather can be extremely dangerous. If a driver is found to be distracted at the time of the accident, they can be held liable for the damages.
Ignore road closures or warnings: When road conditions become hazardous, there are often signs and alerts. Drivers must pay attention to these warnings and adjust their driving accordingly.
Fail to use proper equipment: If a driver is on the road without functional windshield wipers or good tires and then causes an accident, they may be held responsible.
Don’t clear windows and mirrors: Drivers who hit the road before clearing their windows and mirrors of snow and ice could be considered negligent in a car accident case.
Make sudden or aggressive maneuvers: Drivers who make sharp turns, abrupt lane changes, or brake suddenly on icy or slick roads could be found responsible for causing a crash.
Drive while impaired: Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol in bad weather heightens the risk of accidents. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and are less able to react to hazardous conditions.

How Do I Stay Safe in Bad Weather?

To stay safe when driving in bad weather conditions, follow these tips:

Slow down: Significantly reduce your speed to maintain control and increase your reaction time.
Increase following distance: Leave extra space between you and other vehicles to avoid collisions.
Avoid sudden movements: Do everything more slowly—accelerating, braking, and turning. This helps you to maintain control of the vehicle.
Stay alert: Minimize distractions and keep your focus on the road.
Plan ahead: Always check weather forecasts before leaving and avoid driving in severe weather if possible.

You may take every precaution when on the road, but you can’t control how others behave. If another driver’s recklessness causes an accident, you may need legal assistance to hold them accountable.

How Can A Car Accident Attorney Help?

If you were injured in a car accident in bad weather conditions because of another driver’s negligence, contact our experienced car accident attorneys. We can help you:

Investigate the accident: We’ll gather evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and weather data, to help build a strong case.
Determine fault: We can help you prove that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care for the weather conditions.
Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies are often concerned mainly with their profitability and may try to pay you less than you deserve. We will advocate for fair compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Represent you in court: Though most car accident cases are settled outside of court, if necessary, we have the experience to fight for your rights before a judge or jury.

At Shapiro, Washburn, & Sharp, we specialize in helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve, as we did for this federal worker who suffered neck and other injuries in a Virginia car crash. We helped negotiate a $930,000 settlement.

You can find our offices in Virginia Beach, as well as in Hampton, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.

Car Accident in Bad Weather Conditions—Do I Have a Claim?