Weather-Related Car Accidents In Atlanta
Even the most careful, well-prepared driver can suffer injuries in an Atlanta car accident during hazardous weather conditions. Atlanta drivers must be prepared for a wide range of weather, including flooding, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and occasional wintery weather conditions like snow, sleet, and ice. Unfortunately, no matter how experienced and well-prepared a driver is in Atlanta, another driver sharing the roadway may not be as cautious. It’s important to know your rights after a weather-related car accident in Atlanta.
What Are the Most Common Types of Atlanta Car Accidents Resulting From Inclement Weather?
Slippery road conditions from slush, sleet, snow, or ice require drivers to prepare for longer braking times and slow their speed to avoid sliding. This is due to decreased tire traction. Deep water from rain can also cause sliding, hydroplaning, and drifting. Common weather-related car accidents in Atlanta include the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents caused by sliding into an intersection or out of a parking lot or driveway into moving traffic
- Head-on collisions
- Roadway departures
- Collisions with obstacles
- Vehicle rollovers
- Multi-car pileups
- Collisions with storm debris, like fallen limbs
Inclement weather and weather-related hazardous road conditions can also cause pedestrian accidents and motorcycle accidents.
Who Is Liable for a Weather-Related Car Accident In Atlanta?
After an Atlanta car accident caused by inclement weather, an injured motorist may assume that they cannot recover compensation for their losses because they cannot file a lawsuit against poor weather. However, it’s essential to know how Georgia’s fault-based injury laws apply to weather-related car accidents. Depending on the type of hazardous weather conditions, a driver must react appropriately by doing the following:
- Slowing speed to accommodate inclement weather
- Adjust braking time with the understanding that sudden braking can cause sliding
- Turning on headlights during low-light conditions, fog, rain, sleet, or snow, which may impede vision
- Increasing following distance
- Avoiding sudden swerves
- Slowing down before entering bridges
- Avoiding driving into standing or moving water
- Paying vigilant attention and remaining alert to the presence of pedestrians
- Ensuring that windshield wipers are functioning appropriately
- Removing snow buildup from the vehicle before driving
- Avoiding lingering in the blind spots of other vehicles, especially near large trucks
Failing to adjust to poor weather conditions is a breach of a driver’s duty of reasonable care, leaving them liable for an injury victim’s damages if the breach of duty causes an accident.
Proving Liability In Weather-Related Car Accidents In Atlanta
Proving another driver liable for damages after a weather-related car accident can be challenging. Insurance companies often dispute car accident claims that occur during poor weather or attempt to shift liability to the injury victim. Car accident victims in Georgia may only recover compensation if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident under Georgia Code § 51-11-7. An insurance company can reduce an injury victim’s compensation by the percentage of fault it assigns to that victim. For this reason, it’s beneficial to have experienced legal representation to document evidence of the other party’s liability. The evidence must demonstrate the following:
- The at-fault driver owed a duty of reasonable care to the injury victim
- They violated this duty through negligence
- The breach of duty caused the injury
- The injury victim suffered damages from the injury
In some cases, the investigation uncovers other entities at fault or who share fault for an accident, such as a negligent road maintenance agency.
How Can an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
After suffering injuries in a weather-related car accident in Atlanta, your case deserves skilled representation by a bold, assertive Atlanta car accident attorney. Contact Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC for a free consultation so we can talk about your right to compensation.