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When bad weather contributes to a car crash, many drivers assume that the weather itself relieves them of responsibility for the collision. However, the car crash lawyers at Arckey & Steele know that car accidents involving bad weather in Denver are almost always caused by drivers who fail to adjust their behavior to dangerous conditions.
Rain, fog, or other weather events create hazardous driving situations, but speeding and reckless driving in these conditions are the true causes of most weather-related crashes. If you have been injured in a crash like this, our team could help you figure out your legal options.
Colorado law requires all drivers to have all-wheel or four-wheel drive traction on their vehicles to protect them against bad weather, like rain, sleet, and snow. When weather conditions deteriorate, drivers have a duty to adapt their driving behaviors, including:
Failing to adapt driving behavior to adverse weather conditions constitutes negligence, and drivers who cause car accidents by speeding or driving recklessly in Denver could be held accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents involving bad weather in Denver. When drivers maintain speeds appropriate for clear, dry conditions despite rain, snow, or other hazardous conditions, they create situations that often result in serious crashes.
Posted speed limits represent the maximum safe speed under ideal conditions. In bad weather, drivers must travel well below the posted limit to maintain control and stop safely. A driver traveling at the speed limit in heavy rain or snow may be found negligent if their speed contributes to an accident. The injury attorneys at Arckey & Steele work with accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate when speeding drivers were traveling too fast for conditions and therefore caused the collision.
When drivers speed on wet roads, their tires can lose contact with the pavement and ride on a layer of water, slush, or snow, a phenomenon called hydroplaning. Once a vehicle begins to hydroplane, the driver loses control over steering and braking.
Hydroplaning crashes are entirely preventable by reducing speed on wet roads, thereby lowering the hydroplaning risk (HpR). If you suffered an injury from a driver who lost power due to hydroplaning, that driver’s excessive speed caused the crash, not the weather itself.
Beyond just speeding, many Denver drivers engage in reckless behavior that becomes even more hazardous in adverse weather conditions and risks car accidents. Reckless driving shows a willful disregard for the safety of others and is particularly egregious when weather conditions already require extra caution.
Aggressive driving in bad weather is hazardous. When these drivers cause accidents, they are fully responsible for the consequences. Arckey & Steele’s lawyers investigate driving behavior to prove reckless conduct, not weather conditions, caused your injuries.
Distracted driving, like texting, is always negligent, but it is especially reckless in bad weather. A moment of inattention, usually recoverable, can cause a serious crash when the weather already reduces visibility and traction, making it even more hazardous. If a distracted driver hits you in bad weather, their distraction is likely the cause of the accident.
The lawyers at Arckey & Steele understand that car accidents involving bad weather in Denver can cause serious injuries and significant financial hardship for victims. We reject attempts to excuse negligent driving by blaming the weather and fight to hold reckless drivers accountable for the harm they cause. When you need experienced legal representation after a weather-related crash, contact us for the dedicated advocacy from an injury attorney that you deserve.