Bad Weather Accidents in Parkersburg

In general, West Virginia has a mountainous and hilly terrain which might make the roadways more susceptible to being dangerous during heavy rain or other inclement weather.

During times of rain, snow, ice, or fog, drivers should avoid using their cruise control and adjust their speed appropriately according to road conditions, looking out for other drivers who might be having difficulty controlling their vehicles under the conditions. If they do not, they might be responsible for a collision.

Please call our experienced car accident attorneys if you need legal assistance following a bad weather accident in Parkersburg.

What to Do After a Crash

After being involved in any accident, it is important to contact law enforcement so there is proper documentation of the accident itself, and also exchange information with the other driver, especially insurance information. Knowing the other driver’s auto insurance carrier is very important to seek proper compensation for any injuries that resulted. It is also important to immediately seek a medical treatment for any injuries, which will become important if they end up filing a lawsuit for those injuries.

Once everyone is confirmed safe and has received medical treatment, an injured person should call Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law to discuss the potential for a civil suit.

Identifying Fault in a Bad Weather Collision

Whether there is inclement weather or not, the fault for an incident is still going to be assigned to the person who failed to maintain control of their vehicle. The presence of serious weather conditions will not prevent them from being labeled at-fault.

If there was no other vehicle involved, there would likely not be another party to seek compensation from, which means an attorney would not be able to help an injured driver. In the event there were passengers hurt in a single-vehicle crash, they might be able to seek compensation from the driver’s auto insurance, or possibly from their own insurance policy if the driver’s insurance is not adequate.

To lower the risk of adverse events during bad weather in Parkersburg, a person should invest in a vehicle with four-wheel drive and high beams, avoid using cruise control, particularly during torrential downpours or when there might be icy conditions or black ice, and keep a proper lookout for those types of conditions. Even if they do everything right, another negligent motorist could still cause tremendous damage by speeding or failing to yield the right of way.

Evidence and Damages

When it comes to gathering evidence, the investigating officers should note the severe weather conditions in the crash report and whether they could be attributable as a cause. Sometimes a Parkersburg lawyer might check the National Weather Service to determine what the weather conditions were at that particular location, which can help a plaintiff’s case.

In any automobile accident, the damages can include compensation for medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, annoyance, inconvenience and loss of spousal consortium if the injuries have affected their relationship.

Call a Parkersburg Attorney After a Crash Involving Bad Weather

You will be in a better legal position if you contact a Personal Injury attorney to lead you through a civil lawsuit. We would be in direct contact with the insurance companies, seeking out any potential insurance coverage that might be available to compensate you for what you have lost.

Learn what options are available to you in the aftermath of a bad weather accident in Parkersburg – call us now for a free consultation.