WHO IS LIABLE FOR AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY LOW VISIBILITY WHILE IT IS SNOWING?

When an accident occurs thanks to poor visibility caused by snow and other winter weather, there are a couple of factors that require to be checked out to work out liability.

If you were injured in an accident caused by another driver who was negligent while driving within the snow, you'll be eligible for compensation. Call a replacement Jersey car accident lawyer to find out about your legal options.

HOW DOES SNOW AFFECT VISIBILITY?

Snow can make it much harder for drivers to obviously see the road and therefore the vehicles nearby. Snow not only affects visibility because it falls but also after. because the snow falls and begins to compile on the bottom , wind may blow it onto vehicles and into their windshields.

The more snow that falls, the smaller the space you'll see around your vehicle. for instance , light snow may reduce visibility to half a mile while heavier snow may reduce it to a quarter-mile.

Snow also affects depth-of-field and contrast during a driver’s visibility when hit with a particular amount of sunshine . When skies are overcast, an optical phenomenon called flat light may impair your depth perception. this might make it especially difficult to work out how close or distant from an object, like another vehicle, maybe.

More intense snow conditions can also end in a white-out, where a driver’s vision is engulfed by a uniformly white glow possibly caused by blowing snow. White-out conditions tend to rid objects of shadows, make horizons disappear and a driver may become easily disoriented thanks to lack of contrast.

DUTY OF CARE STILL APPLIES DURING WINTER weather

Driving when your visibility is impaired by snow are often dangerous. Luckily, snow and other major weather events could also be anticipated, so refraining from driving under such hazardous conditions could also be the safest decision to avoid an accident.

But when staying house is not an option, drivers who fancy the roadway during snowfall still have a requirement of care to other drivers to undertake and avoid an accident. that's why there are certain measures drivers got to take or risk facing the results of their negligence if an accident occurs.

TIPS FOR DRIVING IN SNOW

Liability for car accidents generally falls on people, not the weather, even accidents that occur thanks to inclement weather. it's important to stay some safety tips in mind when out and about in snowy conditions.

The most important thing to try to to is hamper . Speeding is that the explanation for an astronomical amount of car accidents per annum , with or without major weather events. Slowing down when visibility is reduced helps offer you overtime to react to obstructions on the road.

Second, specialise in the road and your surroundings. Distracted driving is another major explanation for car accidents that leads to serious injuries or death. If your visibility behind the wheel is reduced by falling snow, listening to road signs, other vehicles, and possible obstructions within the middle of the road may assist you avoid an accident.

Lastly, using your headlights and switch signals will help other vehicles around you recognize your intentions. this might reduce your chances of an accident because other drivers may anticipate your actions.

Overall, defensive driving is vital because it allows you to prevent sooner, react quicker, and maneuver accordingly to avoid an accident.

FILING A CLAIM

Because drivers are expected to require safety precautions when on the roadway, determining liability for an accident caused by snowy conditions could also be straightforward, as a number of the foremost common causes of automobile accidents during the winter months are:

Speeding

Following too closely

Impaired driving

Distracted driving

Sudden braking

If a driver was engaged in any of these acts when his or her vehicle crashed into yours, the liability for damages may fall on them.

Our attorneys are well-versed in New Jersey’s no-fault laws and are prepared to hunt compensation from your own Personal Injury Protection insurance until the fault is decided for the accident.