Who’s Liable for a Black Ice Car Accident?

Who’s Liable for a Black Ice Car Accident?

Spring might be just around the corner, but icy road conditions may persist. “Black ice” is a thin layer of ice on the road, which may be invisible, even when it’s sunny outside. When drivers hit patches of black ice, they may lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident. Who is liable when black ice is involved?

Black ice car accidents and personal injury claims

Generally, drivers have a duty to follow all traffic laws and avoid causing harm to others. Therefore, it may seem counterintuitive that someone could be held liable for hitting a patch of black ice, since it’s hard to see and generally out of a driver’s control.

Drivers can be held responsible when they fail to exercise appropriate caution for the conditions. For instance, if a driver is speeding during a black ice accident, they may not have enough time to react and maintain control of the vehicle. Similarly, if a driver doesn’t leave enough space between them and the car in front of them, hitting black ice can make it very difficult to stop. Always leave extra room and reduce your speed during inclement weather, no matter what the time of year.

Finally, drivers are expected to know how to deal with common road hazards like black ice. If your vehicle starts skidding over the ice, always turn your vehicle into the direction of the skid. This will help you regain control and avoid an accident.

When multiple vehicles are involved in a black ice accident, liability often rests with the driver who first lost control and hit someone else. Proving fault often requires the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.

If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, call the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP right away.