In Los Angeles, heavy rain can make driving challenging during the winter months. Winter weather can cause poor roadway conditions and limited visibility. Although weather contributes to increased accidents that occur during the winter months, you are still required to take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents.
Drivers can still be held responsible for an accident, even if the primary reason for their crash is weather-related if they were found to be engaged in negligent behavior. To protect your rights after a winter weather car accident, contact the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers.
Poor Road Conditions
During rainy months, your tires move differently on the roadway and can cause dangerous conditions that increase the risk of an accident. Colder temperatures can turn water from a previous rainstorm to ice and create an extremely slippery roadway. Icy or wet road conditions can cause tires to improperly grip the roadway and fail to get sufficient traction, resulting in hydroplaning and increasing the risk of a collision.
When road conditions are poor, it is often best to drive below the posted speed limit. If you are driving in a safe and cautious manner, authorities can determine that your accident was not a result of negligence and that you were not the one at fault for the accident.
Poor visibility
Wet roads are not the only risk to be aware of during the winter months. Poor visibility is also a concern during the rainy months or freezing weather. Heavy snow or rain can make it challenging for you to see other cars on the road, which can cause rain car accidents.
If you cannot see clearly, it is crucial that you drive slowly and use the appropriate light indicators. Turning on your headlights can assist in alerting oncoming traffic that there is another car approaching. Traveling at a slower speed and maintaining a large distance between vehicles can also assist in keeping you and other drivers safe.
Finding legal assistance
If a car accident occurs as a result of poor road conditions, poor visibility, or other weather-related issues, the situation may not suggest that your negligence played a part. The police can decide that the driver who caused the accident is not at fault because of poor weather conditions.
However, the police can find you liable for an accident — even in poor weather — if they discover you were negligent or that you were taking unnecessary risks. For instance, if you drive at higher speeds than the roadway conditions permit, even if your speed is at or below the posted speed limit, your behavior can be considered negligent.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If someone else’s negligent actions directly resulted in a winter weather car accident, consult an experienced lawyer to guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected. Call their offices today to schedule a free consultation.