Winter Weather and Car Accidents in Kentucky

There is no doubt that winter weather can impair visibility, reduce traction and stability, adversely affect traffic, and increase the risk of a car accident. Do not drive at all if you can avoid it when the roads are slick or icy.

Snow, sleet, ice, and other weather conditions are the causes of many car accidents during the winter.

One out of four vehicle crashes is weather-related, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Based on a ten-year average (from 2007 to 2016), winter weather-related crashes occur every year as follows: 156,164 on icy pavement; 219,942 in snow/sleet; and 186,076 in snow/slushy pavement.

Responsible Driving in Winter Weather Conditions

Many weather-related accidents could be avoided if drivers were acting responsibly and exercising the proper caution needed under those conditions.

• Winter weather and road conditions may make it dangerous to drive the posted speed limit.
• Slow down on snow and ice and to allow your vehicle plenty of room to stop on slick pavement. Drivers who fail to do so can rear-end another vehicle and cause serious injury to other drivers and their passengers.

Accelerating and decelerating slowly can help drivers avoid sliding and losing control.

• Be familiar with your vehicle’s brakes and how to use them. Generally speaking, if you have anti-lock brakes, apply steady pressure. If you don’t have antilock brakes, pump the brakes to avoid skidding. Slamming on the brakes could cause a car to skid and crash into another vehicle.
• Turn lights on during rain or a snow storm so the vehicle is more visible to other drivers.
• Completely clear the ice from your entire windshield and side windows before setting out so you can see clearly. In addition to impairing your own ability to see the road and traffic around you, snow and ice accumulated after a storm could blow off and strike another vehicle, impairing the other driver’s vision and causing an accident.

When drivers disregard weather conditions and road conditions, their driving puts everyone else on the road at risk. These irresponsible drivers and their insurance companies should be held accountable when they drive too fast for road conditions and serious accidents result.

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable for Winter Weather Accidents

If you or your loved one has been injured in a winter weather accident caused by someone else who was driving irresponsibly, Becker Law Office is here to help you. Although no amount of money can adequately compensate you for the injury and disruption to your life that you have experienced, the at-fault driver who caused the crash is responsible for your losses under Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee law.

A serious car accident can cause you to incur extensive medical bills, lose wages due to missed work, and possibly suffer a reduction in future wages as a result of your injuries. It can cause pain and suffering, anxiety, and emotional distress. It can even cost you the immeasurable loss of the sudden death of a loved one. As your attorney, our goal is to pursue the compensation you are entitled to receive.

Ours is a full-service personal injury law firm. Whether your claim is settled or your case goes to trial, we have the knowledge, skill, and experience to aggressively pursue your claim. We have been handling cases since 1985, representing more than 33,000 clients.

Our free case evaluation can help you get started taking legal action. When you work with our firm, we do not get paid unless we settle or win your case.