Orlando is not known for severe weather. Even so, weather events occur that affect the roads and can lead to accidents.
Car accidents involving bad weather in Orlando often raise complex legal issues concerning liability, but our car crash attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright know how to navigate them. We are known as The Florida Firm because of our longstanding commitment to the community and our outstanding record of success representing injured people across the state.
When Can You Sue After a Wreck?
Florida’s no-fault system works to keep most vehicle accident claims out of court. Everyone registering a car must show proof of personal injury protection insurance (PIP). When someone is hurt in a wreck, they must turn to their PIP to pay their medical expenses and lost wages.
The system works well for fender benders and people with minor injuries. However, PIP coverage limits are low, and it will not cover your costs if you are badly hurt. Florida Statutes § 627.737 allows you to bring a claim in court when you have permanent injuries or substantial permanent scarring.
We can review your medical records to ensure they reflect the seriousness of your injuries. Our attorneys in Orlando will also evaluate the circumstances of the wreck to determine whether there is evidence that another party’s negligence contributed to the weather-related car accident.
Proving Negligence When Weather Is an Issue
Orlando’s weather is generally calm, but there are weather hazards here. Downpours can cause flash flooding, heavy fog is sometimes an issue, and once in a while, ice may form on the roads. These conditions can lead to wrecks and sometimes cause multi-vehicle pileups.
When accidents happen because of the weather, there may be a tendency to believe it is nobody’s fault. However, close scrutiny often reveals that the crash could have been prevented if one or more parties had behaved differently or made better decisions.
When you bring a legal claim after a car accident, you must prove that another party’s negligence was directly responsible for your injuries. In this context, negligence means failing to use reasonable care to prevent another person from suffering an injury or loss. Negligence in a bad weather accident may not always be obvious, and a focused investigation might be necessary to link someone else’s negligence to the crash.
Negligent Decision to Drive
Sometimes people get caught in bad weather unexpectedly, but often, being on the roads in unsafe conditions is a choice. When a driver does not have the skill or experience to manage prevailing conditions and drives anyway, they may be liable for any injuries you suffer if their lack of skill leads to a wreck.
Not Driving for Conditions
A closely related issue is failing to take conditions into account when driving. Safe driving in bad weather requires motorists to slow down, allow more time to come to a stop, pump brakes gently when slowing or stopping, and leave more space between vehicles. Drivers who do not follow best practices for bad weather driving may be liable in case of an accident.
Poorly Maintained Vehicle
A misaligned chassis, worn brakes, or bald tires can lead to disaster when the roads are slippery. Ineffective windshield wipers, headlights, or tail lamps can lead to a crash in heavy rain or dense fog. Our Orlando-based lawyers will investigate whether poor vehicle maintenance may have contributed to a bad weather accident, and will hold the vehicle owner accountable if so.
Failures of Government Agencies
Government agencies sometimes bear at least partial responsibility for weather-related wrecks. Poor road maintenance, a decision to keep a road open when it should have been closed, clogged culverts and storm drains, and failure to warn of weather emergencies are just a few examples of government failure that can cause traffic accidents.
Lawsuits against government agencies are more complicated than those against people or businesses. Get legal help as quickly as possible if you suspect government negligence may have been a factor in the crash.
Consult an Orlando Attorney After a Weather-Related Car Wreck
When you are severely injured in a wreck, work with a law firm that will pursue your legal interests while ensuring you get the medical care and financial support you need. At Colling Gilbert Wright, our professionals provide legal advice and comprehensive service to the victims of serious car accidents involving bad weather in Orlando.
We are well-known in the legal community for obtaining substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients who have been in serious car accidents. In fact, most of our cases are referred to us by other attorneys and law firms who trust Colling Gilbert Wright to handle complex and high-stakes cases with skill and dedication.
Contact The Florida Firm today. You can set up a free consultation without risk because we do not collect any expenses or fees until we obtain a favorable outcome for your case.