Winter Hazards for Washington Drivers

Close-up low angle shot of car tire on a snowy road in winter. Visual concept for a personal injury blog discussing the hazards of driving in washington state during winter weather.

Washington state winter weather is notoriously harsh — and drivers face a number of hazards on the roads during these months that can lead to car accidents. Not only can it be more difficult to stop or control a vehicle on icy roads, but drivers may also have a hard time operating their vehicle with limited visibility. While a driver cannot hold the winter weather liable for negligence if an injury occurs, they can hold another driver on the road responsible for failing to operate their vehicle safely.

Common Causes of Washington State Winter Weather Car Accidents

Black ice, snow, sleet, heavy rain, fog, and frost are all common Washington state winter weather conditions that can contribute to car accidents. However, it is not always the winter weather that can be blamed for collisions. Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely at all times — and adapt to inclement weather conditions. When a driver fails to act prudently on the road, regardless of the weather, they may be held liable for any injuries that arose due to their negligence.

Factors that can contribute to winter car accidents can include the following:

  • Speeding — While speeding is always a dangerous driving behavior, it is even more hazardous in inclement weather. If a driver’s speeding caused the accident, they may be held accountable in a personal injury action.
  • Distracted driving — If a driver’s attention to the road is diverted for even just a moment, it can impact their ability to react to slippery surfaces, leading to an increased risk of a collision.
  • Driving while intoxicated — Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is always dangerous. However, in the winter months, it can increase the risk of accidents due to a decreased ability to handle hazardous conditions such as snow, ice, and reduced visibility.
  • Reckless driving — Reckless driving in icy conditions is particularly dangerous and can put others on the road at risk of injury.
  • Defective brakes or tires — A manufacturer might be held accountable for an accident if a defect in the design or manufacturing of the vehicle led to the crash.
  • Poor road conditions — A municipality may be held liable for a winter car accident if it failed to properly maintain the roads or traffic signs are not properly placed.
  • Tailgating — When a vehicle follows too closely behind another, there may not be enough time to stop if the car in front brakes suddenly. When roads are slippery, it can decrease the traction of a vehicle, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.

To avoid accidents, it is crucial to slow down your speed, maintain a close distance behind the vehicle in front of you, and ensure your focus is on the road when driving in winter weather. However, even if the negligent driver tries to place blame on you for the collision, you may still be entitled to recover compensation under Washington’s comparative negligence rule if you are up to 99% at-fault for the accident. In these cases, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Compensation for Winter Car Accidents

A car accident related to Washington state winter weather can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, fractures, paralysis, permanent disability, and disfigurement. These types of injuries can require extensive medical treatment and time lost from work. If you can establish that another party’s carelessness or recklessness caused your car accident-related injuries, you might be able to hold them liable in a personal injury lawsuit. In doing so, you may be entitled to recover both the economic and non-economic damages you incurred.

Recoverable damages in a Washington state winter weather car accident caused by another party’s negligence can include compensation for the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Future medical costs
  • Lost wages
  • Future lost earnings
  • Out-of-pocket costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress

Importantly, in order to recover your rightful damages, you only have a limited amount of time to bring a lawsuit — if you fail to pursue a claim within the applicable statute of limitations, you could be forever barred from recovering compensation. It is essential to have a skillful personal injury action by your side who can guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit and ensure you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact an Experienced Washington Personal Injury Attorney

If you suffered injuries in a car crash, having the right representation can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. The Bellingham personal injury attorneys at Robinson & Kole provide reliable counsel to accident victims throughout Washington State for a wide variety of personal injury matters, including car accidents. Our legal team is committed to securing the maximum monetary recovery available under the law in each case.

We welcome you to contact us for a free consultation by calling 360-671-8112 or by using our online contact form. Se habla Español.