Weather-Related Crashes

East Tennessee has diverse weather patterns, including conditions that may make it more challenging to drive, such as heavy rain or black ice. It is crucial for drivers to operate their cars safely in any unusual weather conditions that may arise. All drivers are expected to be able to drive safely given the weather conditions. Weather-related crashes are often preventable. If you have been hurt in this type of accident and believe that another driver should have acted more carefully to avoid the collision, you should consult Knoxville car crash lawyer Mark Hartsoe about bringing a lawsuit to hold that driver accountable.

Bad weather may arise in many different environments, ranging from mountainous terrain to flat, slick surfaces. Drivers need to use more care in certain circumstances, such as by accelerating slowly in the snow and giving themselves more time to reach their destination when it is rainy. If you are driving in traffic, and there is rain or snow, it is important to leave extra space between your car and the car ahead of you. Drivers must slow down and drive more cautiously when they encounter adverse weather conditions like snow and rain.

Unfortunately, not all drivers do use reasonable care given the weather conditions. If you can show that another driver failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances, and this failure was the cause of your injuries, you may be able to recover compensatory damages. In some cases, an at-fault driver will argue that the accident was unavoidable due to a surprising weather condition.

Generally, bad weather will not excuse negligent conduct, but it may be raised as a defense if the weather rather than the defendant’s negligence caused the accident. For example, if a driver hits a patch of black ice that is entirely invisible and collides with another car, they may argue that there is nothing that they could have done. The court will look at whether the defendant could have avoided the accident and whether they were acting in a way that was consistent with how a reasonably prudent driver would have acted, considering the traffic and weather conditions.

If an insurer for an at-fault driver contacts you after a weather-related crash, it is important not to give a statement or answer questions. The adjustor may be trying to obtain an admission or a statement that the weather was to blame rather than the other driver. You should consult an attorney before talking to the other side. Knoxville car crash attorney Mark Hartsoe has the experience to represent you if you have been hurt in a weather-related crash. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form to set up a free appointment to explore your options. Mark Hartsoe represents people who need a motor vehicle collision attorney throughout East Tennessee, including in Knox, Blount, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.