Call Us atAlaska still receives much more precipitation—especially ice and snow buildup—than almost anywhere else in the United States. Therefore, local drivers should be even more careful and considerate when road conditions are less than ideal.
Car accidents involving bad weather in Anchorage are common, but you can still file suit over one if it has caused you to suffer a serious injury. When you get hurt in a wreck caused by someone else’s negligence or lack of adjustment to the weather, a qualified car accident attorney could help. We could reconstruct the scene of your crash, determine exactly how it happened and who is at fault for it in legal terms, and take proactive legal action against everyone who played a role in causing your harm.
When Is It Possible to Sue Over a Bad Weather Car Crash?
Most of the time, suing over a car accident in this state involves proving that the wreck occurred because the defendant committed a traffic violation, such as speeding or failing to yield properly. However, the “negligence” required for liability extends far beyond breaking traffic laws. Subjectively “careless” acts also qualify as violations of the “duty of care” all drivers have.
Negligence and Bad Weather
Responsible drivers must understand that bad weather conditions like snow, sleet, rain, and fog will decrease their visibility, reduce their car’s traction on the road surface, and generally make it harder to control their vehicle. Accordingly, responsible drivers are expected to use their headlights, drive well below the posted speed limit, and leave larger distances between their cars and the ones in front of them during bad weather in Anchorage. A “negligent” driver is someone who causes a car crash because they did not do one of those things and, therefore, may be liable for ensuing damages.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
Regardless of the misconduct they engaged in, an Anchorage driver found legally liable for a bad weather-related auto wreck may be made to pay financially for all economic and non-economic consequences of that wreck, including:
- Emotional anguish and trauma
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Lost overall enjoyment and quality of life
- Lost work income, benefits, and earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering in performing daily activities
- Personal property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement costs, if necessary
It is important to take action sooner rather than later after a wreck like this, though, since Alaska Statutes § 09.10.070 gives you two years at most after initially getting hurt to file suit against the person who negligently harmed you, even if your injuries will continue negatively affecting your life for much longer than that.
Reach Out to an Anchorage Attorney About Bad Weather Car Crash Cases
Nobody likes driving through pouring rain or tons of snow. However, suppose you must do this; you have a responsibility to adjust your normal driving to the unfavorable conditions. When you are injured in a car crash because someone else did not follow this responsibility, you may be able to sue them even if they did not otherwise violate any traffic law.
Effective legal action over car accidents involving bad weather in Anchorage is almost always easier with support from seasoned legal counsel. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more.
