Road Conditions are No Excuse for a Crash

You get into your car to drive home and soon snow comes falling down. The road becomes more slippery and it becomes harder to see the lines on the road. You slow down, noticing that traffic all around has slowed because of the weather. However, when you glance in your rear-view mirror, you notice the car behind you is following pretty closely and then BOOM. You feel a hit from behind as your car lurches forward into the vehicle in front of you. Often, we represent clients who have been in car accidents that occurred under less than ideal road conditions, like the situation just described.

Each year, there around 1.5 million car crashes associated with bad road conditions caused by weather. And bad road conditions lead to about 7,000 people being killed and 800,000 being injured each year.

When road conditions are bad, the law requires drivers to slow down and use care. “Speed shall be restricted as necessary to avoid colliding with a person, vehicle, or other conveyance on, near, or entering a highway in compliance with legal requirements and with the duty of all persons to use due care.” Ind. Code 9-215-1.

Additionally, the law requires drivers ensure they are not following other drivers too closely. “A person who drives a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of both vehicles, the time interval between vehicles, and the condition of the highway.” Ind. Code 9-21-8-14.