Posted on Thursday, May 28th, 2020 at 2:25 am
There could be several factors that contribute to the cause of a car accident. Determining responsibility for each of those factors determines liability for damages caused by a car accident. However, what happens when a contributing factor is the weather? Who do we blame for a weather-related car accident?
Fault for Car Accidents Caused by Rain or Other Weather Conditions
An insurance company may tell you that it is not responsible for your damages because poor weather conditions caused the car accident. It may have been raining at the time of the accident, and the insurance company alleges that the rain was the cause of the crash.
However, that is probably not the end of the story. The rain may have been a contributing factor, but in most cases, a driver also contributed to the cause of a weather-related car accident. For example, a driver failed to reduce the speed of the vehicle based on driving conditions. If the driver was traveling too fast for conditions, the drive might not have been able to stop before colliding with another vehicle.
You Need a Comprehensive Car Accident Investigation
Before you accept the word of an insurance claims adjuster about a weather-related car accident, talk to a Sacramento car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer investigates the accident to determine all factors that contributed to the cause of the crash. An insurance company searches for ways to avoid liability. Blaming an accident on the rain is just a convenient way to avoid liability.
Without a comprehensive investigation, you cannot gather evidence to prove that the other driver contributed to the cause of the crash. The insurance company is not going to tell you if it has evidence that could help your case. Gathering evidence to support your claim is up to you. An attorney who handles car accident cases has more resources and skills to investigate the accident.
Damages and Losses Caused by a Weather-Related Car Accident
A weather-related car accident can cause severe injuries and substantial damages. Common damages and losses related to car accident claims include, but are not limited to:
- The cost of medical treatment, including surgery, doctor’s bills, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and other forms of treatment.
- Loss of income if you are unable to work, including wages, bonuses, salaries, commissions, and self-employed income.
- Future damages, including ongoing medical treatment, future lost wages, and loss of earning potential.
- Pain and suffering damages, including physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
- Personal care expenses, including help with household work and chores.
- Permanent disabilities, scarring, impairments, and disabilities.
Documenting your damages is vital if you want to recover maximum compensation for a car accident claim. Your attorney can help you document many of your damages and guide you on the best way to document your pain and suffering damages.
Valuing a claim can be challenging. An experienced personal injury lawyer understands the value of various damages, such as pain and suffering. Working with an attorney can help ensure that you demand a fair settlement for your injuries and damages.
Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
If you are injured in a weather-related car accident, don’t trust the insurance claims adjuster. Talk to an attorney to make sure that you are being treated fairly by the insurance company.Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our Sacramento car accident lawyers.
