How to Handle a Single Car Accident Due to Weather

Did you look at the weather forecast today before you got in your car? It’s a good idea to make sure you’re prepared for inclement weather any time you get behind the wheel. This is because more than 1 in 5 car accidents today (21%) today happen due to poor weather conditions. In fact, it’s among the deadliest types of car accidents people can experience. If you’re hurt in a single-car accident due to weather, keep reading to understand who pays for what and when.

And if another person hits you while driving in inclement weather, we’ll share tips for handling those car accidents, too.

Handling a Weather-Related Car Accident: Key Takeaways

• Bad weather accidents are responsible for a significant share of injuries and deaths on U.S. roads every year. Determining fault for weather-related accidents is more complex than most people realize. If there are multiple drivers involved, your best bet is to call an attorney to understand your legal rights.
• In a single car accident due to weather, insurance companies look for any indication of driver negligence. If you were going faster than the speed limit, for example, then it could hurt your chances for fair compensation.
• When you must drive in bad weather conditions, proper vehicle maintenance and insurance coverage can help protect you.

Common Adverse Weather Car Accidents To Watch Out For

Bad weather accidents can happen any time of the year, so let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest hazards for drivers.

Hydroplaning

If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly sliding on slippery roads while driving through heavy rain, that’s hydroplaning. And rainy weather isn’t the only thing that can cause you to hydroplane and lose control of your vehicle. It happens whenever extra water fills the tread gap in your car’s tires, which stops them from properly gripping the road.

Unexpected Road Debris

Road maintenance crews aren’t the only reason you might encounter unexpected debris in your lane. In many parts of the country, high winds, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms can knock down trees and telephone poles. That’s why it’s so important to drive below the posted speed limit in inclement weather so you can pay close attention to the road.

Snow and Ice

Winter weather conditions like these kill over 1,300 people and injure 116,800 more each year in vehicle crashes. And if it starts to sleet or snow when you’re driving, slow down and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

What to Do When Caught in a Weather Accident

It’s also a good idea to stay at a safe following distance behind other vehicles to avoid accidentally rear-ending anyone. But if you’re in an accident due to inclement weather, here’s what to do next:

1. Check yourself (and anyone else in the car with you) for injuries. If anyone appears hurt, call 911.
2. Try to pull your vehicle out of the way of the flow of oncoming traffic, but only if it’s safe to do so. Weather and road conditions may make it unsafe for you to move your vehicle; in such cases, stay inside your car.
3. If the accident includes another vehicle, you can try to check the other driver for injuries. Again, only get out of your car if it’s safe for you to do so.
4. Wait for the police to arrive and explain what happened. Once you’re out of immediate danger, you can safely exchange info with any other drivers on the scene.
5. If you can safely do so, gather evidence at the scene of your accident while it’s still fresh. Be sure to avoid saying anything that could hurt your claim.

Reporting Your Single Car Accident Due to Weather Conditions

If anyone is hurt, always call 911 immediately. Police reports provide important evidence in many car wreck claims; weather-related accidents are no different. It’s also a legal requirement in many states if you sustain a certain amount of damage to your vehicle.

A police officer usually includes things like current weather conditions when creating your report. This may prove especially valuable in proving that you are not a negligent driver to your insurance provider.

In a single-car accident, you also may benefit from contacting an attorney in your state for legal guidance. Not sure how to find one? We can connect you with a nearby attorney from our national network for a free consultation right away.

Finally, you should also notify your car insurance provider about your accident once you’re out of immediate danger.

Who is Liable for a Single Car Accident Caused by Bad Weather?

Many different factors come into play here, even when you’re the only vehicle involved in a crash. The insurance claims adjuster will investigate the circumstances behind your accident, including:

• Vehicle speed at the time of the collision
• Whether you had to swerve in order to avoid hitting an animal, road debris, or a pedestrian
• Alcohol or drug use
• Driver behavior that may indicate you’re at fault (i.e., drinking, using drugs, texting while driving, falling asleep behind the wheel)
• Poor road conditions (i.e., potholes, flooded roadways, defective traffic signals, etc.)

If some of the above are true for your accident, you may be held responsible for causing it.

How Insurers Determine Fault in Bad Weather Accidents

In bad weather accidents affecting multiple vehicles, insurance companies look at more than just the factors listed above. For example: Was another driver speeding and unable to brake in time to avoid hitting you on icy roads? Or did an 18-wheeler lose control while braking on an incline, slamming into cars stopped at a red light?

Another issue is which state your car accident happens in. Some states (like Georgia) determine fault based on what percentage of blame you share for causing the accident. Others (like Florida) are no-fault states, so your only option is to file a claim against your own insurance policy.

No matter what you think made your crash happen, it’s in the insurer’s best interest to pay you little to no money. So, a claims adjuster will work hard to find some way to assign you some blame for the car wreck, if possible. That helps protect their employer’s profit margins, regardless of how it affects you.

Can a Single Car Accident Due to Weather Raise Insurance Rates?

Yes, it can if you’re held liable because an investigation found your actions indirectly caused the accident. According to Baja Auto Insurance, a single car accident due to weather will cause your rates to go up 32%, or about $455. If you’re found at fault for the crash, U.S. News and World Report shows you’ll pay about $872 more annually.

What if Another Driver Hit You Due to Weather Conditions?

Even if you think your case is a slam-dunk because someone else hit you, you may not be correct. In cases like these, it’s always in your best interest to contact an attorney if you have any injuries. The other driver might be uninsured, and your own policy may refuse to cover your damage.

Make sure to resolve your claim before the statute of limitations that applies in your state expires.

Weather-Related Car Crash Statistics

• Wet roads caused by rainfall or flooding cause 75% of weather-related accidents, injuring 544,700 people and killing 5,700 annually.
• Every year, snowy, slushy, or icy roads cause nearly 1 in 4 weather-related accidents in the United States (24%).
• The U.S. Department of Transportation reports nearly 900 people die and almost 76,000 are injured in a snow or sleet-related car crash every year.
• Studies show loss of traction while hydroplaning kills 3,025 people in the continental U.S. every year, on average.
• According to one AAA study, road debris caused 9,805 injuries and 125 deaths annually between 2011 and 2014.

How to Avoid Accidents Caused by Bad Weather Conditions

• Always wear your seat belt and put any child passengers in a properly installed and sized car seat, if applicable.
• Put your phone out of sight and turn the radio down to avoid any unnecessary distractions.
• Slow down when driving through rain, fog, sleet, snow or on icy roads.
• Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and any others when you’re sharing the road. You want plenty of room to stop, swerve, or slow down; aim for a 6-second gap or longer.
• Turn on your headlights during low visibility conditions. This includes putting on your bright lights if no cars are coming in the opposite direction and putting your hazards on in heavy rain, fog, or snow, if possible.
• Avoid hard braking and cruise control while driving in bad weather.
• Always use your turn signal early before you start turning or changing lanes.
• Stick to the middle lane in heavy rain or after water re-freezes overnight. It can help you avoid skidding in deep standing water or hitting an invisible patch of black ice.
• Keep your car in good shape for bad weather by performing proper vehicle maintenance every year. This includes things like:
  • Check the tread on your tires before you head out in the winter or during heavy rain. If they’re old and you can’t stand up a quarter in the tire tread, it’s time for a replacement.
  • Keep your tires properly inflated, since under-inflated tires are at higher risk for a blowout.
  • Add snow chains to your tires for better traction in snowy weather during winter months.
  • Get your car inspected and brakes checked for wear or low fluid. Always repair bad brakes before driving anywhere in bad weather.
  • Make sure your front and rear windshield wipers work well and replace any worn-down blades.

File Your Claim with an Auto Accident Attorney

LegalASAP can match you with an auto accident attorney who can help you sort out your claim. You’ll start with a free consultation to understand how much your accident claim may be worth, then go from there.

LegalASAP’s national network includes hundreds of law firms from coast to coast, helping you connect with an attorney who can help with your case.

Submit a free quick evaluation form here to see if you may qualify for claim assistance. You may also call us at (888) 927-3080 if you have further questions or concerns to discuss.