Colorado winters and car accidents go hand-in-hand, as evidenced by the first two snowstorms of 2019. Whether a driver has a lack of experience driving in winter conditions, fails to winterize his or her vehicle, or is not paying attention, winter car accidents can be devastating.
Even when you are not at fault, it can be difficult to recover damages from a car accident without an experienced car accident attorney on your side. At the Frickey Law Firm, we are passionate about helping car accident victims get fair compensation for their injuries and losses. We know how traumatic a car accident can be physically, emotionally, and financially, so we take these cases on a contingent fee basis. That means we don’t get paid unless you do.
Weather-Related Car Accidents
Car accident cases are often complex. Fault must be determined, damages and injuries assessed, insurance companies contacted, and on and on. When weather is a factor in a car accident, the case can get even more complicated.
Determining Fault in a Weather-Related Car Accident
Insurance companies will look at all of the standard accident factors in a weather-related car accident. This includes assessing whether a driver was:
- Distracted
- Intoxicated
- Speeding
- In violation of other traffic laws
The insurance companies will also look at what role weather played in terms of:
- Road conditions
- Visibility
- Severity of the weather
Weather-Related Negligence
If severe weather was a factor, the insurance company will look for weather-related negligence. Motorists must take reasonable measures to prevent causing an accident. Reasonable measures may include:
- Vehicle preparedness – Reasonable vehicle winterization includes having proper tire pressure and snow-ready tires and having fully functioning windshield wipers and brakes.
- Compliance with state law – Commercial trucks are subject to strict requirements for winter driving, for example. Additionally, a new Colorado law requires drivers on a specific stretch of I-70 to have four-wheel or all-wheel drive, chains, snow tires, or another accepted method of increasing traction. The minimum tire tread depth required has also been changed from one-eighth of an inch to three-sixteenths of an inch. Failure to meet that requirement could constitute negligence.
- Appropriate driving practices for road conditions – When the roads are slippery, motorists must take extra care in terms of speed, following distance, turning, and braking practices. If a driver fails to drive with reasonable caution given hazardous road conditions, he or she may be found negligent.
Learn more about safe driving in winter conditions here.
Schedule Your Free Car Accident Consultation in Lakewood
The motor vehicle accident attorneys at the Frickey Law Firm know how to investigate the circumstances around an accident to get to the bottom of who is at fault. We are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies, and we build your case with diligence to ensure we have the evidence to secure maximum compensation for your injuries.
Call us at 303-237-7373 for a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. We serve clients in Lakewood, Boulder, Denver, and the surrounding areas of Colorado.