Did you suffer injuries in a car accident? Did another driver’s careless actions cause it during poor weather conditions? If so, contact the Northern California car accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm to learn how we can help you with your case. You might be entitled to financial compensation for the medical expenses and other costs you incurred.
Adverse weather is hazardous for all motorists. If even one person doesn’t adjust how they drive to keep themselves and everyone around them safe, an accident can occur. Heavy rain, fog, and strong wind increase the risk of a crash, and everyone involved can be injured.
Any driver traveling in bad weather must slow down, pay attention, and operate their vehicle appropriately. They should focus on the task at hand and maneuver through traffic carefully. One wrong move could lead to a collision and cause severe injuries or even fatalities.
To find out how Tiemann Law Firm can help after an accident caused by another driver in poor weather conditions in Northern California, call us at (916) 999-9000 right now for a free consultation.
Common Weather Conditions That Can Cause Car Accidents
Most people understand the importance of adjusting their speed and proceeding through dangerous weather cautiously. They’re less likely to text, speed, and cut off other drivers. However, some drivers ignore all traffic laws and behave recklessly despite poor visibility and slippery roadways.
People often rush through traffic to get to work or complete their errands. Speeding during a thunderstorm or fog prevents any driver from reacting appropriately to stopped vehicles ahead or to an emergency situation. They can’t see if there’s a hazard in the road or a sharp turn ahead for which they must slow down to travel safely.
Even weather that might not seem dangerous could lead to a serious accident. The most common poor weather conditions are:
- Rain – Heavy rain can decrease visibility and even lead to flooding. Flooded roads can cause cars to hydroplane, preventing the driver from having total control over their vehicle.
- Fog – A driver needs quick reactions to appropriately react to what’s happening in front of them. Unfortunately, fog can hide problems people on the roadway. Motorists who aren’t paying attention might not notice a car ahead that’s traveling much slower than they are. By the time they see, it might be too late to maneuver away to avoid a collision.
- Wind – Many people underestimate the dangers of wind. Since it’s something you can’t see, drivers don’t consider it to be a problem. However, strong enough winds could push a vehicle around on the road and even cause it to roll.
- Thunderstorms – If someone isn’t expecting lightning or thunder, a sudden strike could startle them. They might slam on their brakes or lose control of their car, colliding with another driver.
Unfavorable weather isn’t the only danger drivers face. The aftermath of a bad storm could present hazards that make the roads unsafe for motorists. Fallen trees, malfunctioning traffic lights, and power outages could increase the danger of driving.
If poor weather conditions combined with a careless driver resulted in your injuries during an accident, you need an experienced attorney on your side. The legal team from Tiemann Law Firm can represent you in your case and fight for the justice you deserve. You shouldn’t face the consequences of another person’s recklessness. We will help you seek the compensation you need to pay for your medical treatment and other expenses.
Who’s Liable for an Accident During Poor Weather Conditions?
Although adverse weather may have contributed to the crash, another driver could be held liable if they weren’t taking the necessary precautions to drive safely. California’s fault system makes the party at fault for an accident financially responsible for the other person’s injuries, medical bills, and associated costs.
The other driver involved in the accident should have auto insurance with the minimum liability limits required by law. These limits are:
- $15,000 for bodily injury
- $5,000 for property damage
Bodily injury (BI) covers the expenses related to the injury you sustained and how it affects your life. For example, if you’re unable to return to your job, BI could compensate for the income you’re no longer earning. Property damage is for the cost of repairing your damaged vehicle or paying to replace it entirely.
Despite state laws, some drivers don’t purchase liability coverage. If you discover the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you might be able to file a claim with your auto insurance carrier. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) comes into play if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or high enough limits on their policy. It’s optional coverage offered by the insurance company, so you should check your policy to see if you chose to add it to your plan.
UM will compensate for various losses suffered in an accident up to the policy limits. When you file a claim, you could receive a settlement to pay for your medical treatment and lost wages. Some people also have coverage for property damage and the estimated value of the pain and suffering they endured. Tiemann Law Firm will review your UM policy to determine what it will cover and the maximum value limits we can pursue on your behalf.
Compensation Available in a Car Insurance Claim
The treatment needed to recover from your injuries will depend on how severe they are. Some people heal after only a few weeks, while others need months of intensive physical therapy. You may have received expensive medical bills that you’re unable to afford. A lot of accident victims end up with crushing medical debt following a car crash. It can become a significant burden on your life and create undue stress.
The at-fault party’s insurance company should offer an adequate settlement to compensate for your past and future losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
When Tiemann Law Firm reviews the details of your case, we will consider various factors to come up with the right monetary value for a settlement. We want to ensure that you receive a full and fair financial award, so you’re not forced to pay for any of your expenses out-of-pocket. Some of the factors we might use to calculate an appropriate number are:
- Type of injury and how severe it is
- Total hours missed from work
- Amount of insurance coverage on all available policies
- Psychological damage due to the accident
- Evidence showing someone else was at fault
- Total medical expenses
- Impact of the injury on quality of life
- Duration of necessary medical treatment
- The estimated cost of future treatment
- Permanent injuries caused by the accident
Car accidents can affect every area of a person’s life. We know the struggles you’re facing because of someone else’s negligence. You can depend on our team to thoroughly investigate the accident to determine who caused it. We’ll gather all available critical evidence to show the other driver should be held accountable.
Laws for Filing a Lawsuit in California
The timeframe for filing a lawsuit against another person is governed by the statute of limitations. In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. That means you have two years from the date of the crash to sue the other driver if you want to recover compensation through the court system. After this deadline passes, you won’t have the opportunity to pursue civil action against them.
Juries can assign fault to all parties involved in an accident. If they determine you’re partially responsible for the injuries you sustained, they could reduce the amount of compensation you receive for your case. Pure comparative negligence is a statute that diminishes an accident victim’s compensation by the percentage of fault they share. For example, if your losses totaled $20,000, but a jury assigns you 20% of the blame for causing the accident, you could only collect up to $16,000 in compensation.
You might be entitled to punitive damages when you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The jury will review the evidence you submit and determine if you deserve this financial award, which is intended as a punishment against the liable party. You will only receive a judgment for punitive damages if you’re able to prove that the other person involved in the crash was guilty of malice, oppression, or fraud.
Contact Tiemann Law Firm for a Free Same-Day Consultation
Tiemann Law Firm has been representing California clients since 1998. We believe in holding people responsible for the harm they cause and achieving the best possible results for those injured in car accidents. We know the impact of an injury and how it can turn your whole world upside down. Our goal is to resolve your case as quickly as possible and help you get on the road to recovery.
We will fight hard to secure the compensation you deserve and to bring you justice after your accident. You should have legal assistance and support after the traumatic experience you’ve been through. Our team will remain by your side until the very end to provide guidance and dependable customer service. We’re available 24/7, so you can reach us when you need us most.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident during poor weather conditions, call Tiemann Law Firm immediately at (916) 999-9000. An experienced and dedicated attorney will meet you for a free consultation to review your case and determine if we can help. When you hire us, we will begin our investigation into the accident and hold the other driver liable for their careless or negligent actions.
