South Jersey Inclement Weather Car Accident Lawyer

Today’s busy lives take South Jersey residents out on the road in inclement weather even when they’d rather stay home. Driving in rain, fog, snow, sleet, or wind and navigating wet or icy roadways is challenging and requires diligent care by drivers. Additionally, local road maintenance agencies must take all reasonable measures to maintain safe roadways and prevent safety hazards to motorists. When an accident occurs during poor weather or hazardous driving conditions, it doesn’t mean the accident was unavoidable. Many South Jersey car accidents in inclement weather directly result from one party’s lack of due care.

Common Hazardous Weather Conditions for South Jersey Drivers

According to the U.S. Transportation Department, an average of 1,235,000 car accidents occur yearly due to adverse weather conditions. In New Jersey, the weather can change quickly, requiring drivers and other entities to do their part to minimize the risk of an accident. Common poor weather driving conditions in New Jersey include:

• Fog: dense fog impedes visibility, increasing the risk of an accident. Drivers must take extra precautions, including using headlights and reducing speed during foggy weather conditions.
• Rain and thunderstorms: rain reduces visibility and causes slippery roads and puddles. Drivers must use their headlights, reduce speed, and carefully navigate through standing water on the roadways to avoid sliding or hydroplaning out of control. Severe thunderstorms sometimes cause hail, which can damage cars and cause sliding.
• Snow: snow and slush cause slippery roadways, poor visibility, and reduced tire traction. Accumulated snow may cover traffic signs and lane markers, increasing the risk of an accident. In addition, when a driver fails to clear their car of snow and ice, it may fly off their vehicle while they drive, impeding another driver’s vision.
• Ice: icy roads are extremely hazardous, increasing the chances of an accident by causing vehicles to skid, slide off the road, or slide forward when the driver attempts to stop at an intersection. Black ice is particularly dangerous because it’s invisible and may take unwary drivers by surprise.

Drivers must accommodate inclement weather conditions by taking appropriate actions such as using headlights and windshield wipers when appropriate, reducing speed, and clearing ice and snow from their vehicles before driving.

Understanding Liability in South Jersey Inclement Weather Car Accidents

 If a driver isn’t vigilant, fails to take reasonable measures in adverse weather conditions, or doesn’t adhere to traffic laws or state regulations, they are liable for damages to accident victims if their negligence causes an inclement weather car accident in New Jersey. Drivers have a duty of care to others on the road that includes reducing speed and practicing due diligence during poor driving conditions. If they breach their duty of care and the result is an accident with injuries and damages to others, they may be responsible for the damages if a victim’s accident-related expenses far exceed their own auto insurance personal injury protection (PIP) policy under New Jersey’s no-fault car accident laws.

Drivers are not the only entities who must take all reasonable precautions during inclement weather conditions. Local municipalities, city and county road management agencies, and federal, state, and local roadway maintenance agencies must follow regulations and respond appropriately to road hazards during inclement weather. Failing to do so and allowing a hazardous road condition to cause a preventable accident leaves the government entity liable for damages to car accident victims in South Jersey inclement weather accidents.

How Can a South Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Help?

Following traffic laws and driving with vigilant attention becomes even more critical during adverse weather. When you experience a car accident due to another driver’s carelessness or a road maintenance agency’s failure to address a safety hazard, you may have options for recovering compensation that extends beyond the limits of your PIP policy. Contact Grungo Law today for the South Jersey car accident lawyers who achieve results by developing an individualized strategy for their accident clients.