Heavy rain, coastal flooding, dense fog, and strong winds can quickly make local roads dangerous. Although severe weather contributes to many crashes, drivers still have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely. If you suffered injuries in a collision during dangerous weather, our skilled car accident attorneys could help you determine whether another driver’s negligence contributed to it. Our firm often represents victims of car accidents involving bad weather in Galveston.
At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, we help injured people pursue compensation after serious crashes resulting from careless driving in hazardous conditions. Dealing with medical bills, lost income, and insurance disputes can be challenging after an accident. Our legal team could investigate liability, preserve evidence, and protect your rights throughout your claims process.
Weather Conditions Do Not Excuse Negligent Driving
Motorists must adjust their behavior to match road and weather conditions, and rain, flooding, and fog do not excuse unsafe driving. When bad weather moves through Galveston, auto crashes often happen because motorists fail to drive cautiously on slick roads. Unsafe driving during severe weather may include:
- Driving too fast for road conditions
- Driving while distracted
- Following vehicles too closely
- Making unsafe lane changes or braking suddenly
- Failing to use headlights in low visibility
- Ignoring flood warnings
Under Texas Transportation Code § 545.351, drivers must control their speed according to roadway and weather hazards. A driver may be negligent if they fail to operate their vehicle safely during dangerous conditions.
Insurance companies may argue that your crash was unavoidable because of the weather. Accident reports, witness statements, and traffic footage could help establish whether another driver acted carelessly.
Is Compensation Available After a Weather-Related Crash?
Many injured people believe they cannot recover compensation if the weather contributed to their collisions. In reality, liability depends on whether a driver exercised reasonable care under the conditions. Car collisions during severe weather in Galveston often involve motorists who ignore reduced visibility, standing water, or other dangers.
The state follows a modified comparative fault system under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001. An injured individual may recover compensation if they are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, and that compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation costs
These claims often require detailed investigations because weather conditions can complicate questions about fault. Additionally, crashes can lead to certain kinds of catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and other forms of harm that may require long-term care.
Protecting Your Claim After a Storm-Related Collision
The things you do after your car accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize liability after severe weather crashes by blaming road conditions alone. When a storm creates hazardous driving conditions in Galveston, a wreck involving multiple vehicles may require extensive investigation to determine how a driver’s conduct contributed to it. You might be able to pin liability on a truck driver or some other motorist.
Seeking immediate medical care after your crash is important for protecting your health and documenting your injuries. Photographs of roadway flooding, skid marks, debris, vehicle damage, and weather conditions may strengthen your claim. It is wise to avoid giving recorded statements before understanding the full extent of your injuries and legal rights.
Texas law generally gives an injured person two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Waiting too long may make it more difficult to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
Call Our Galveston Attorneys After an Auto Collision During Inclement Weather
Dangerous weather does not remove a driver’s responsibility to operate their vehicle safely. If another person’s careless actions caused your injuries in a car crash during severe weather, you deserve guidance about your legal options.
Our personal injury attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris help injured people pursue compensation and deal with insurance disputes after car accidents involving bad weather in Galveston. Contact our team today to discuss your situation and learn how we could help.
