Southern California is typically the home of sunshine and warm weather. We generally don’t have to deal with the icy roads, snow, and torrential rain that drivers in other states face each winter. With this nice weather comes inexperience with less than perfect driving conditions. As you have probably experienced firsthand, driving through the San Fernando Valley during a rainstorm can be a harrowing ordeal, with traffic backed up for hours due to car crashes, cautious drivers, and other accidents.
So who’s to blame when the weather causes a car accident in California?
As we have discussed in previous posts, not all car accidents in Woodland Hills are cut-and-dry when it comes to determining liability. Multiple factors can contribute to fender benders, multi-car pile ups, and catastrophic crashes including driver error, mechanical failure (such as faulty brakes), and inclement weather conditions. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, speak to an experienced auto accident lawyer who can review all of these factors and build a strong case on your behalf.
Duty to Exercise Reasonable Care
When an accident is caused by a driver who is texting or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, liability seems pretty clear. It’s what happens when the driver is obeying all traffic regulations and causes a crash that leaves many victims wondering who is at fault. Generally speaking, all drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care when behind the wheel. This means that a driver who was otherwise following the rules of the road may still be found at fault for a crash in poor weather conditions. In California, drivers are expected to slow down even below the speed limit to accommodate slippery roads, pounding rainstorms, and poor visibility. Depending on the conditions, a driver might be expected to use his or her four-way flashers or even to pull over to the side of the road and wait out the storm.
Hiring the best attorney for your case
Instead of hassling with insurance companies who are not interested in providing you with the full financial compensation you deserve, retain the assistance of a proven auto accident attorney to deal with them on your behalf. Individuals injured in car accidents that were caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness deserve the best legal representation to help them recover medical expenses, doctor’s visits, time off work, and more.
For more information on how to file a bad weather car accident claim against a driver, contact Woodland Hills personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.