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What You Need to Know About Car Accidents in the Rain

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in

driving in rainy weatherInclement weather increases the risk of car accidents due to poor visibility, bad road conditions and the reactions of other drivers. Accident risk rises especially when it is raining.

The Sacramento car accident attorneys of the Arnold Law Firm have put together information to help you understand the risks of driving in the rain and who is at fault if an accident occurs.

Rain Increases the Risk of an Accident

Rain impacts driving conditions, increasing the risk of an accident in many ways, including:

  • Poor visibility due to downpours and dark clouds reduce a driver’s ability to see the road ahead and surrounding vehicles.
  • Drivers who fail to turn on their headlights during rain make it difficult for other drivers to see their vehicles. California law requires motorists to use headlights when driving in the rain.
  • Wet roads decrease road friction and create slick surfaces, impacting a driver’s control over the vehicle.
  • Flooded roadways can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Flooding can also cause drivers to panic and swerve into other vehicles.
  • Sudden heavy rains can slow traffic speeds unexpectedly or bring traffic to a stop, decreasing reaction time.
  • Drivers may over- or under-react during heavy rains, making their actions unpredictable to other motorists.

Who Is Responsible for an Accident?

While rainy weather can contribute to an accident, drivers are ultimately responsible for controlling their vehicles appropriately, no matter what the weather conditions are. When motorists fail to drive safely for current weather conditions, they act negligently and put themselves and others in danger.

At-fault drivers may be held responsible for car accidents that occur in the rain. Insurance companies may try to deny such claims by blaming the weather conditions, but if the at-fault driver did not take appropriate safety precautions to prevent an accident, he or she may still be held liable.

Drivers may be held responsible for car accidents in the rain if they fail to:

  • Reduce speed below posted speed limits, appropriate for the conditions.
  • Pull off the road and wait for conditions to clear when visibility is extremely poor.
  • Keep windshield wipers clean and in good condition.
  • Keep headlights, turn signals, and brake lights in good working order.
  • Drive while sober, not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Contact the Arnold Law Firm

The Sacramento personal injury lawyers of the Arnold Law Firm are committed to helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We will investigate your case and pursue negligent drivers for the compensation you deserve.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation so you can learn what legal options are available in your case. If you choose to work with our firm, there are no upfront fees. We work on contingency, so we receive payment only if we help you recover compensation in your case.

Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form today to get started on your claim.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.