Is Sliding on Black Ice and Causing a Traffic Accident Considered Negligent and Grounds for a Lawsuit?

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Motor vehicle accidents can occur for countless reasons. Most traffic accidents are caused by drivers’ carelessness or defective road signals, while most others are the consequence of accidental circumstances. This time of year, many car collisions are a result of hazardous weather conditions, like rain, fog, lightening, snow, and ice. Wearing your seat belt and driving at a safe speed are two significant ways to prevent injury and accidents from happening; however, there are some motor vehicle accidents that cannot be avoided. Sometimes, these poor weather conditions cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, spin into other lanes, collide into embankments, hit curbs, and much more.

Black ice is a common culprit behind losing control of a vehicle in bad weather. It is a frequent hazard that causes accidents just like the ones mentioned above. But to what degree are you guilty if you slide on black ice, lose control of your vehicle, and collide into another driver? Is it pure accident or should you be held liable for the other drivers’ damages? Continue reading to learn more about liability in a traffic collision caused by black ice, or other severe weather conditions.

Motor Vehicle Accidents and Liability

If you were to slide on black ice while operating a motor vehicle, and subsequently collide into another vehicle, causing that driver and their passenger’s injury or damage, would you be liable? The short answer is maybe; but there is a much longer explanation. The most important factor to consider when determining who responsible in a car accident is whether or not a driver acted carelessly, or if they acted reasonably, even in dangerous weather conditions. Did a driver act in accordance to the standard of care expected by a reasonable person? Or were they driving recklessly?

For example, if a reasonable person was driving in poor weather conditions, like snow or ice, they would “reasonably” drive at a safe and cautious speed, rather than driving at the suggested legal speed limit because their visibility and control is limited. On the other hand, a reckless driver would continue to drive normally, in poor weather, at the suggested speed limit. If it were a sunny and dry day, then driving at the recommended speeds is, of course, reasonable; however, in dangerous weather conditions, a reasonable driver would slow down and drive more cautiously. This is a huge factor in determining liability in a motor vehicle accident lawsuit, whether natural elements were supposedly the cause or not.

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Another aspect to consider is the condition of the vehicle. If the owner of the car or truck did not reasonably care for their vehicle in order for it to drive safely and function properly, then they may be at-fault for a car accident that occurs in poor weather. For example, if a person has very old, bald, and worn out tires on their vehicle, and they lost control on ice or a wet spot, then poor weather is not the sole reason why an accident happened.

Had the driver reasonably serviced their tires, they may not have slid on the ice or slick spot to begin with because they would have had better traction and stability control. Other reasonable maintenance for a car would include functional windshield wiper blades, good brake pads and rotors, functional brake lights and head lights, and much more. These, and more, are additional concerns that an insurance adjuster might look at when determining liability in a car accident case. These types of lawsuits are often tricky and complex. There are several factors and variables that determine who is at-fault in a car accident.

If you are ever an innocent victim in a traffic accident that was caused by another person’s reckless driving, contact an Indianapolis car accident attorney right away. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages, such as lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, vehicular damages, pain, suffering, mental anguish, prolonged rehabilitation, and much more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, is a licensed personal injury lawyer with several years of litigation and trial experience. He is happy to answer your questions about filing a car accident lawsuit, and assess your eligibility for recompense. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we win your settlement! Call 317-881-2700 for more information about recovering compensation following a motor vehicle
accident in Indianapolis
, IN.

Types of Additional Insurance Coverage Recommended for All Drivers

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

No matter how old you are, and how long you have been driving, there is always something new you can learn to better protect yourself and others on the road. In today’s case, it’s insurance coverage for motor vehicle accidents and injuries. Yes, you probably already have car insurance, as you must, but there are additional coverage plans that can drastically influence an outcome of a motor vehicle accident; especially if that accident results in injury or death. These kinds of accidents can happen to anyone, at any time, so it is best to be prepared to the fullest. This is especially beneficial for adolescents and new drivers.

Limited Liability Insurance Coverages

The reason it is so highly recommended to consider additional insurance coverage is due to liability limits. When a person purchases a new policy, a liability limit is established. The liability limit is the amount of compensation that would available to a person or family in the event that you negligently cause a motor vehicle accident in which someone were injured or killed. This kind of insurance is highly beneficial because it protects your assets from being liquidated in order to compensate a victim or their loved ones after your insurance liability limit is reached. The more personal assets you own and need to protect, the higher your liability limit should be.

Although all drivers and car owners are obligated by Indiana law to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, it is not enough in the event that a person is seriously injured or killed. This mandatory liability coverage is meant to ensure that a valid policy is in place to cover bodily injury and vehicular damages. In Indiana, the mandatory liability coverage is 25/50/10; which means $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damages (in the case that your car accident caused property damages). The 25 is for yourself, to cover medical expenses, hospital bills, and vehicle damages, if you were the only one in the vehicle. If multiple people were injured, the 50 is divvied among each injured person in the victim’s vehicle. Now here is where the trouble can start if you don’t have ample liability coverage.

If your insurance limit only covers $50,000 for each injured victim, but their accumulated damages cost more than 50 grand, who is responsible for the remaining difference? This is where it can get complicated. Contact an Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm and speak to a licensed attorney about your case in order to learn your specific options. Take a look at the types of additional insurance coverage that can prevent these predicaments and compensation problems following a motor vehicle accident.

Insurance Plans that Provide Peace of Mind:

Medical Payment Coverage

This coverage, also referred to as “medpay”, is an optional policy you can add onto your existing auto insurance plan. This coverage is meant to cover medical expenses following a car accident, regardless of who is at-fault. This is beneficial coverage because it pays for a person’s medical expenses while their treatment is ongoing. This is great for people who do not have private health insurance coverage, and can’t pay out-of-pocket for treatment while waiting for reimbursement checks from the auto insurance company.

Un-Insured and Under-Insured Coverages

UM insurance is very important to have and should be strongly considered by all drivers who do not already carry this type of insurance. In the case that a you are involved in a car accident, and the negligent driver does not have enough insurance, or personal coverage, to compensation you for your bodily injury and vehicle damages, your UM coverage will come in handy. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance at all, then this is another instance where UM insurance coverage helps. You won’t be stuck paying for your own vehicle damages and medical expenses and more if the negligent driver has no insurance, or not enough.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call 317-881-2700 and schedule a free initial consultation with one of our licensed personal injury lawyers in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned attorney, Daniel Craven, and his fellow colleagues, are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in a motor vehicle accident. We provide comprehensive legal services for car accident victims and their families, and we never collect lawyer fees unless we obtain compensation for you! Call 317-881-2700 to learn more about your rights following a personal injury in
Indianapolis, IN or its surrounding counties.

How to Recover Compensation for Motor Vehicle Accidents and Injuries

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

If you or a loved one was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident or car crash, and suffered serious injuries as a result of opposing negligence, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your damages. It is vital to take immediate action after being hurt in a car accident in order to maintain a strong and valid case against an opposing or negligent party. There are statutes of limitations and state laws that regulate how much time a victims has to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is another reason to act fast
following an auto accident.

Continue reading to learn what to do, what steps to take, and how to recover compensation for you or your loved one’s damages following a motor vehicle accident and resulting injuries.

Steps for Auto Accident Lawsuits

As soon as a person is involved in a car wreck, or some other motor vehicle accident (i.e. motorcycle, boat, scooter, truck, bus, van, etc.) it is vital to request immediate medical attention; preferably at the scene of the accident. This is the most important step out of all the recommended proceedings in a motor vehicle accident and injury lawsuit. A person’s life, health, and well-being are the most important priority. After that, it is important to have medical records showing legal documentation expressing the onset injuries and damages of a victim. These records, combined with many others, are used as evidence in a court of law.

Once medical attention is received and a victim is stabilized, it is important to then file a police report. This is usually done at the scene of the accident because on-duty officers usually report to the scene of a car accident. These records are also used as evidence to support a victim’s case and claim. When a person is too incapacitated, or unconscious, it is okay for an immediate family member to file to report initially; and then later, when the victim is conscience or stable, they can add their accounts of the accident as well.

Once the medical and police reports are documented and recorded, and the injured victim is in good care, it is time to contact an Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm for professional legal counsel and to get your claim started. It is important to choose a reputable and licensed attorney that concentrates on motor vehicle accidents, and retains extensive litigation and trial experience. Most law firms and personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations to assess a person’s claim, and determine if they are eligible for remuneration.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a licensed personal injury attorney at Crave, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are highly accomplished and respected accident lawyers with extensive trial and litigation experience. We are seasoned attorneys that have a focus on motor vehicle accident and injury lawsuits, and will represent you without any upfront legal fees! Call 317-881-2700 and schedule your free initial consultation to discuss and review a recent car accident injury in Indianapolis, IN and
its surrounding counties.