With the winter season in full swing, you must be thoroughly equipped with the potentially dangerous conditions present throughout the Washington, D.C. roads. But if you happen to still, unfortunately, become involved in an accident, then you must be fully prepared to take legal action against the appropriate party. Continue reading to learn what driving hazards commonly arise in the winter season and how an experienced Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP can help you hold the correct party liable.
What driving hazards commonly appear in the winter season?
As you may likely conclude, the most common driving hazards during the winter season have to do with inclement weather (i.e., snowfall) and other weather-related conditions (i.e., ice). More specific examples are as follows:
- The winter days may be getting shorter, with more hours of darkness, which may lead to poor road visibility.
- There may be layers of snow or ice on the windows, mirrors, and headlights of vehicles, which may lead to diminished road visibility.
- There may be a layer of snow, left uncleared, which may lead to a loss of traction or brake failure amongst vehicles on the roads.
- There may be black ice, a thin layer of super-slick ice, which may lead to a lack of control over vehicles on the roads.
Who is potentially liable for my winter driving accident?
Your municipality may be responsible for plowing the roads from snow, and salting the roads from ice, in an appropriate timeframe post-snowfall. So if they fail to do so, they may be held liable for your winter driving accident. However, it is more likely that another driver on the road was the at-fault party in your accident. This may reign true if any of the following circumstances are relevant to your case:
- Another driver failed to clear snow from their vehicle and its spray diminished your field of vision.
- Another driver was driving at a speed faster than the inclement weather conditions safely permitted.
- Another driver failed to turn on their headlights at a time when the inclement weather conditions required it.
- Another driver was failing to keep a safe distance between themself and other drivers at a time when the roads were covered with ice or snow.
- Another driver was driving distractedly (i.e., texting, turning to speak with passengers, etc.) at a time when the inclement weather conditions required complete concentration.
Once you accurately identify the negligent party, then you may proceed forward with filing an auto accident claim against them. You should not go through these complex legal proceedings alone. Rather, you should have a skilled Washington, D.C. auto accident lawyer from Simeone & Miller, LLP stand by your side throughout. Contact our firm today.