Driving becomes even more challenging when temperatures drop in Virginia due to icy and/or snowy roads. The grip of tires on icy roads is much less reliable, which makes controlling the car harder and increases the distance needed to stop. When it snows, visibility drops, making it difficult to spot and react quickly to hazards. Speeding, failing to adjust to the slick roads, driving a car unprepared for winter conditions, and other driver behaviors lead to collisions due to negligence.
With the roads blanketed in ice and snow, knowing these hazards and how to seek compensation for the injuries you suffered is imperative. At award-winning Waterman Law Centers, PLLC, we know the various ways driver negligence leads to injuries. We guide you through the legal process and seek to hold one or more parties accountable for your economic and non-economic damages through a car accident claim.
2 Common Causes of Car Accidents in Icy Conditions
Icy and snowy conditions present a unique challenge for drivers, impacting his or her ability to control his or her vehicle. Simple maneuvers such as turning, changing lanes, braking, and accelerating become more hazardous when tires struggle to grip the icy and/or snowy road.
Besides icy surfaces, other winter weather hazards include poor visibility, vehicle maintenance issues, and reduced braking efficiency. The following are two of the most common causes of car accidents in icy conditions:
- Longer stopping distances: Tires need good traction with the road to work effectively. On icy roads, this traction is significantly reduced, leading to longer stopping distances. According to AAA, you should extend the following distance from the standard 3 to 4 seconds on dry roads to 8 to 10 seconds on ice. This increased distance is crucial to avoid rear-end collisions, especially if a sudden stop is necessary.
- Vehicle maintenance challenges: AAA highlights that winter conditions severely impact vehicle performance. Neglecting maintenance before driving on icy roads increases the risk of accidents. Clear, functioning lights are essential for visibility during snow and ice conditions. Given that braking is already compromised on ice, ensuring brakes are in good condition will ensure you remain in control of your vehicle. Additionally, adequate tire tread and proper inflation are essential for effective traction, which aids in safe turning, accelerating, and stopping on icy roads.
If you were injured in an accident due to a negligent driver in icy or snowy conditions, you have legal options to seek compensation for injuries. Negligence includes speeding in inclement weather, failing to maintain a vehicle, or engaging in distracted driving behaviors on the road.
Recoverable Damages in Successful Car Accident Claims
If an opposing driver’s negligence caused you to suffer injuries in a car accident in icy or snowy road conditions, attorney Avery T. “Sandy” Waterman, Jr., Esq. will fight to recover the following types of compensatory damages on your behalf while you focus on recovery:
- Pain, suffering, and inconvenience
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Continuing disability and limitations
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from missed work
- Mental anguish
Do not handle your car accident claim on your own, as insurance companies attempt to unfairly diminish, delay, or deny your right to compensation. At Waterman Law Centers, PLLC, we are on your side every step of the way to obtain the justice you deserve.
Speak With the Award-Winning Car Accident Lawyer at Waterman Law Centers, PLLC Today
If a driver’s negligence caused you to suffer car accident injuries in icy or snowy road conditions, the skilled lawyer at Waterman Law Centers, PLLC, is here to fight for you. Attorney Avery T. “Sandy” Waterman, Jr., Esq. was named to The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury during 2007-2024 and was voted its “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury by his peers in Southeast Virginia in 2022; and Waterman Law Centers has been listed as a Metropolitan Tier 1 Best Law Firm for Personal Injury in U.S. News & World Report and in The Best Lawyers in America for 2021-2024.
Call today for a free consultation at (757) 881-9881 or fill out a contact form.
