Connecticut has been known to get a lot of rain and show throughout the year, and this can increase the odds of an auto wreck. Whether it is rain, snow, ice, or dense fog, every driver must be aware of their environment when they take the wheel. When hazardous conditions play a role in a crash, you should call up an experienced car accident attorney. Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. can advise you and help file a lawsuit as your Bridgeport bad weather car accident lawyer.
How is Bridgeport Susceptible to Bad Weather?
Some of the roads in Bridgeport are not in great condition, so there may be potholes or weakened roads that can lead to accidents. Many roads are narrow, which means that cars parked on the side create hazards in bad weather. The presence of potholes and cars parked on both sides can make it difficult to navigate certain roads in the city.
It is always imperative to seek medical attention first, and then to contact the police once an accident has occurred. Once emergency services are taken care of, you would benefit from speaking with a local bad weather car accident attorney. If you are physically able, it is a good idea to take photographs of the accident scene, the vehicles and the weather conditions. It is especially important to take pictures of the conditions because they could clear up or change quickly, which means that evidence could be lost. You should get the contact information for any witnesses, in the event that they can bolster your case in court.
Warning Signs of Hazardous Conditions
If there is an unusual amount of water on the road, or the streets are not fully clear of snow, then that increases the odds of a wreck. If temperatures are below freezing and there has recently been precipitation, one should assume that the roads are icy.
When going out into bad weather, it is a good idea to make sure the windshields are clear of ice and condensation, the lights and windshield wipers are working, to drive slowly and possibly use snow tires, if necessary.
Assigning Fault and Recovering Damages
If the weather is impacting the road surfaces or visibility, then the operators of the vehicles have an obligation to take the necessary precautions. This might mean driving slower and keeping a proper lookout, or potentially not driving at all.
If no other vehicle was involved, and the injured person got into an accident simply due to bad weather, then they more than likely will not have a case. If the at-fault vehicle left the scene before giving their information, then the client might be able to make a claim through their own insurance company until the liable party is tracked down.
As with any personal injury case, you can file to be compensated for medical expenses and treatments due to your injury, as well as any income that you missed out on while recovering, any pain that you suffered and whether the crash had a negative impact on your usual activities. You can also seek compensation for the repair or replacement of your damaged vehicle. That can include the cost of renting a car while your own is being fixed.
The Importance of Evidence
In addition to photographs and witnesses, Attorney Ganim can use the local news reports and published weather data in order to prove what the conditions were at the time and place of the accident.
Car accident cases involving bad weather are handled in much the same way as any other type of crash. The added wrinkle is that a Bridgeport hazardous weather car crash lawyer must pay extra attention to the physical location of the crash. They must ensure that they document how the road actually looked when the bad weather was present. This would be difficult for an injured person to do without professional help.
Recover Compensation with Aid from a Bridgeport Bad Weather Car Accident Attorney
When you are in a car accident and suffer injuries and losses, you should receive compensation from the negligent party. Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. can help you fight for that compensation. Call his office for a free consultation if you are in need of a Bridgeport bad weather car accident lawyer.