Icy Road Accident Attorneys

Winters are usually not very bad in Alabama. When bad weather happens in Alabama, drivers and local authorities tend to be less prepared for snow and ice than people up north. Have you been injured in a icy road accident. A Alabama icy road accident lawyer can help you determine who is to blame for a crash and can assist you in pursuing your case. Icy road conditions can lead to dangerous and even fatal car accidents. If you or your loved one were injured in an icy road accident and another driver caused the crash, we are here to help. Call 256-534-3435 to get your no obligation, free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Some of the more common kinds of driver negligence that cause snow or ice accidents include the following:

• Speeding;
• Failing to use turn signals;
• Failing to use headlights;
• Following too close;
• Failing to stop at traffic signals or signs; and
• Failing to properly maintain brakes, tires, and other vehicle parts.
• Tailgating
• Driver who wasn’t paying adequate attention
• Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Reckless driver, such as one who is changing lanes aggressively
• Poorly maintained roads
• Ffailure to clear ice and snow from the road or apply salt
• Malfunction in brakes, tires or other parts of a vehicle
• Defective vehicle

What types of accidents can icy roads cause?

Our firm has been handling icy road auto accident cases in Alabama for over 25 years. We have handled every type of icy road condition case imaginable, including:

• Fender benders
• Multi-car pile-ups
• Cars in ditches
• Cars that run into guardrails and street signs
• Tractor trailer jackknifes
• Drivers that skid into pedestrians and bicyclists
• Cars that roll down a hillside
• Rear-end accidents
• Cars that lose control and run into houses
• Head on and t-bone collisions

What Factors Contribute to Icy Road Accidents?

The AAA’s How to Go on Snow and Ice explains how to exercise caution when driving in wintry conditions. Below are some of the tactics the Association recommends:

• Driving slowly
• Keeping your headlights on low beam
• When driving behind cars in slick conditions, increase your distance from the three to four seconds normally recommended in dry conditions to eight to 10 seconds.
• Avoid changing lanes on the highway because snow and ice build between lanes.
• Minimize braking as much as possible on slippery hills
• Avoid using any jerky steering movements
• Learn how to steer when skidding

What to do if You’ve Been Involved in a Weather Related Accident

If you have been injured in an icy road accident you should do the following:

• Immediately call for medical help if someone is injured.
• Call the police.
• Report the accident to your insurance agent as soon as possible.
• Exchange information with the other parties involved, such as address and phone number.
• If it’s a car accident get the license plate number; make, model and year of the vehicle; driver’s insurance information; car registration number; driver’s license number.
• Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses. Keep in mind, if it was a car accident, any passengers involved in the accident are NOT witnesses.
• Take pictures of the accident, damage to the vehicle, and the area around the accident.
• Collect any physical evidence that could have caused the accident.
• Gather details from the accident: draw a diagram of the accident; note the date and time; the type of weather; the location of the accident—including any landmarks.
• Do not talk to the insurance company.
• Call Ferguson & Ferguson.

Weather Related Crash Statistics

In the United States, there are over 1.5 million weather-related car accidents every year. Many of these were collisions caused by drivers in bad weather. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 24 percent of all annual crashes are weather-related.

• Rain: 707,000 annual crashes
• Snow and sleet: 225,000 annual crashes
• Icy pavement: 190,100 annual crashes
• Fog: 38,000 annual crashes
• Snow or slushy pavement: 168,300 annual crashes
• Wet pavement: 1,128,000 annual crashes

What Should I do if the Roads are Icy?

Icy roads are dangerous, and knowing how to handle them could save your life. Here are some tips for navigating icy conditions:

• Slow down. If you feel your car starting to slide or fishtail, slow down even more.
• Brake gently.
• Increase your stopping and following distances.
• If you start to slide, turn your wheel into the direction the rear of your car is sliding. Be careful not to turn too far and “overcorrect.”
• Avoid hills.
• Stay off roads.

What Damages Can I recover in an Icy Road Accident Case?

Icy road accidents are no different than other types of car accidents. Depending on the exact circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to:

• Your medical expenses
• Prescription drug expenses
• Physical or rehabilitative therapy
• Cost of repairing your car or replacing a totaled car
• Lost wages, if your accident caused you to miss time from work.
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Wrongful Death

Free Consultation

If you have been involved in an accident on a snowy or icy road, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by the accumulation of snow or ice, you may be able to recover significant compensation for the losses that you sustained. At Ferguson & Ferguson we offer a free, no obligation consultation to talk about your case. Call us at 256-534-3435 or fill out the form to and get your FREE consultation today.