Car Accidents in Rain and Snow

By Matthew Philbrook | February 16, 2021

Car Accidents in Rain and SnowWashington gets a lot of snow and rain each year. The snow lasts from November through March. The elevations make the state a beautiful attraction. There are hazards, though, when driving in inclement weather. Pouring rain and heavy snow reduce visibility. The moisture on the road can make getting traction at higher speeds almost impossible. Snow and ice can cause your vehicle to slide into other vehicles or into embankments.

Data from the Federal Highway Administration, show that rain and snow are major causes of accidents. The 10-year averages (during 2007-2016) are as follows:

  • Wet pavement
    • Crashes: 860,286
    • Injuries: 324,394
    • Deaths: 4,050
  • Rain
    • Crashes: 556,151
    • Injuries: 212,647
    • Deaths: 2,473
  • Snow/sleet
    • Crashes: 151,164
    • Injuries: 41,860
    • Deaths: 688
  • Icy pavement
    • Crashes: 186.076
    • Injuries: 41,860
    • Deaths: 496

The FHA states that precipitation creates dangers because it impacts visibility and pavement friction and causes obstructions in lanes. It also affects traffic flow, especially speed and roadway capacity, which can lead to delays. Finally, it affects the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle by:

  • Increasing the risk of an accident
  • Making it difficult for the driver to gain traction
  • Affecting the driver’s behavior and traffic strategy
  • Affecting the driver’s ability to drive safely at certain speeds
  • Affecting the driver’s “evacuation decision support”

Types of negligence driving in rain and snow

Drivers are responsible for the accidents they cause if they fail to drive safely in rain or snow. Negligence includes:

  • Not stopping in time – causing a rear-end crash
  • Losing control of the vehicle
  • Failing to get off the road if the rain snow, wind, or fog make driving too difficult
  • Not staying in the proper lane
  • Driving too fast for conditions as opposed to just watching the speed limit
  • Not having your lights on so other drivers can see you
  • Not looking for brake lights on the cars in front of you
  • Not keeping a safe distance
  • Not looking out for debris – objects such as branches that fly into your lane of traffic
  • Not using your defrosters (front and rear) properly

Drivers need to be on the lookout and feel for “black ice,” which can make traction impossible.

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver, WA car accident lawyers have obtained strong settlements and verdicts in more than 2,000 cases. We work with investigators and the police to help determine how the accident happened. We demand compensation for all your medical bills, lost income, property damage, and your physical pain and emotional suffering. When tragedy occurs, we file wrongful death claims on behalf of deceased car accident victims. To speak with one of our lawyers in our Vancouver or Battle Ground, WA offices, please call us at 360-205-9615 or fill out our contact form. We represent personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis.

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