Now that it is Fall in Pennsylvania, the weather will begin to get cooler. Even though we are not facing ice and snow yet, we will soon enough. Until then, we still deal with slick roads because of rain. When poor road conditions cause an accident, is anyone responsible? Can you sue another driver or other party? The answer depends on the circumstances of your case.
Suing A Government Agency for Hazardous Road Conditions
In some cases, a hazardous road condition causes an accident. Examples of hazardous road conditions include potholes, cracks, missing guardrails, and road debris. Sometimes, a government agency or contractor hired by the state can be held liable for accidents caused by road conditions. These types of cases can be very complex and difficult to win. We urge you to call our office if you suspect a dangerous road condition caused your traffic accident. You might have a valid claim against the state, county, or city government agency responsible for maintaining safe roads.
What if Another Driver Caused the Crash?
Sometimes a car accident occurs in poor weather conditions. Slick or icy roads can contribute to a collision. When road conditions contribute to the cause of the accident, is anyone liable for damages?
In most cases, a driver is negligent when an accident occurs, even if road conditions may be poor. For example, during a rainstorm, a driver rear-ends another vehicle. If that driver was speeding or following too closely, that driver might be held liable for the damages from the car accident.
When road conditions or weather conditions create hazardous driving conditions, drivers have the responsibility to take reasonable actions to avoid causing an accident. Actions such as turning on headlights and slowing down are reasonable actions. If a driver is reckless or careless, the driver can be held accountable even tough other conditions existed that may have also contributed to the accident.
Proving negligence may be difficult under these circumstances. We strongly urge you to contact our Erie car accident attorney as soon as possible so that we can begin investigating the accident. Identifying the liable parties and securing evidence to prove negligent and fault is crucial to recovering compensation for damages.
Compensation for Damages
If you are injured in a car accident, you are entitled to be compensated for your damages by the party responsible for the crash. Examples of compensable damages include:
- Property damages
- Cost of medical care
- Loss of income
- Future lost wages and medical expenses
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering and mental anguish
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, your injuries, and your recovery
The amount of compensation you may recover depends on several factors including the length of your recovery, the severity of your injuries, your actual financial losses, and whether you have permanent disabilities. An experienced Erie car accident attorney can explain how to maximize your chance of recovering full compensation for your accident claim.
Call an Erie Personal Injury Attorney for More Information
Traffic accidents involving poor weather or hazardous road conditions can become complex. Our attorneys can help you fight for your right to receive compensation from the negligent driver who caused your accident.
Contact The Travis Law Firm by calling (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced Erie car accident lawyer.