When the weather turns colder, roads often become more dangerous to navigate, sometimes in ways that are difficult to see ahead of time. In addition to the lack of traction that snowfall and visible ice can cause, drivers in Western PA should also be wary of the potential for black ice and adjust their speed accordingly.
If you got hurt in an auto wreck because someone else failed to avoid black ice and lost control of his or her vehicle, you may be able to hold him or her liable for your injuries and losses. A local bad weather accident attorney may be able to help you seek compensation from a party whose negligence led to your black ice car accident in Western PA.
In addition to following traffic laws and staying aware of their surroundings, all drivers in the state of Pennsylvania have a duty to watch out for inclement weather and road conditions and adjust their driving to compensate for them if necessary. In the wintertime, when black ice can form on roadways in nearly invisible patches, it is especially important that motorists refrain from texting behind the wheel, driving recklessly, or doing anything else to increase the risk of an accident.
A driver who fails to abide by this standard of behavior—for example, by exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast in inclement weather — may be liable for a resulting car accident. While the black ice may have directly caused the crash, the liable driver’s failure to account for it could constitute unreasonable behavior, so he or she could still be considered negligent in an ensuing civil case.
Likewise, if a store owner or parking lot manager fails to treat driving surfaces with anti-icing chemicals, he or she could potentially be liable for an ensuing crash caused by black ice.
Anyone who can successfully prove that a driver’s negligence regarding black ice directly caused a vehicle crash in Western Pennsylvania may be able to seek payment from the negligent party or parties for a variety of damages. A skilled car wreck lawyer may be able to pursue compensation for any or all of the following on an injured plaintiff’s behalf:
However, pursuant to 42 P.S. §5524, anyone wishing to file suit over a black ice car crash in Western PA must do so within two years of the date the incident occurred. Numerous additional limitations and restrictions apply to cases against government authorities, as a qualified lawyer could explain in further detail.
Since black ice is difficult to account for while driving, anyone on the road in wintertime needs to be especially careful in order to avoid getting involved in a wreck. Anyone who fails to act responsibly in this way could be liable for any accident he or she ends up causing as a result.
A seasoned vehicle accident lawyer could be a steadfast ally in your fight to recover compensation after a black ice car accident in Western PA. To schedule a consultation about your potential case, call Marcus & Mack today.
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