Winter Weather Car Accidents in Kentucky

Request free personal injury consultation

Winter weather in Kentucky can create hazardous driving conditions that impair visibility, reduce traction, and compromise even the most routine commutes. Even if you are driving cautiously, other negligent drivers on the road can cause you harm.

When this happens, working with a Lexington car accident lawyer can pursue compensation to aid in your recovery.

Driving Responsibly in Poor Weather Conditions

Many weather-related accidents stem from drivers who fail to adjust their behavior to hazardous conditions. Responsible driving requires not just following the standard level of care you have on a normal day, to following the speed limit and the laws of the road.

Adjusting speed and increasing spacing to allow for proper braking can help you avoid rear-end collisions and multi-car pileups. Those who participate in negligent driving practices like tailgating are more prone to accidents.

If you were in an accident due to someone ignoring weather conditions, you may have the basis of a claim.

Adjusting Speed and Braking

To prevent issues with skidding on slick roads and losing control, be slow to accelerate and decelerate. Sudden movements in adverse weather conditions can cause your tires to slide and may lead to a crash.

You must know the type of braking system you have so you can adjust accordingly. If your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), you should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal, and it will handle the pumping action automatically.

If your vehicle lacks ABS, as with many older models, you must manually pump the brakes to avoid skidding or locking the wheels.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Optimal Visibility

To make all attempts to avoid causing an accident, make sure to turn on your headlights in rain, snow, sleet, or foggy conditions. Your vehicle will be easier for other drivers to see, as well as illuminating anything in your path.

If you have a light out, be sure to replace it as soon as you notice, as it could cause you to be partially blamed for an accident, even if the other driver holds the bulk of the negligence.

Clear your windshield completely of any snow or ice before going out on the roads. Driving with only a patch of your windshield cleared is extremely dangerous.

Winter Weather Driving Facts

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Road Weather Management Program, over 6 million car accidents happen every year, and nearly 12% of these crashes are linked to weather conditions on average.

Adverse weather includes rain, sleet, hail, freezing rain, fog, high winds, and snow, with the majority of weather-related accidents involving rain and mist conditions. Consider the risks before going out in bad weather, and avoid going out, if possible.

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable

If another driver disregarded the weather conditions and caused a crash, people can get severely injured.

Whether they were driving too fast on slick roads or did not see you due to a partially obscured windshield, they and their insurance company should be held financially accountable for their actions and your losses.

Working with a car accident lawyer at Gary C. Johnson P.S.C. can help you recover compensation for financial and personal costs, including medical bills, future care costs, lost pay, and physical pain and suffering.