Missouri & Kansas Weather-Related Car Crashes

The Federal Highway Administration reports that more than 20% of all motor vehicle crashes each year are weather-related. Many people assume that ice and snow are the deadliest types of weather conditions for motor vehicle drivers. While winter weather can be dangerous, the Federal Highway Administration has observed that most weather-related accidents occur during times of rain. Here are some important things to remember when driving in inclement weather.

Driving in the Rain Can be Deadly

Several dangerous factors exist with driving in the rain. Rain as well as other types of precipitation limit the visibility of drivers, impact road friction, and increase the chances for obstructions in the road. A driver’s capacity to operate a vehicle might end up negatively impacted as a result of rain. Additionally, rain and other types of precipitation can impact a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle, how vehicles perform, traffic signal timing, and speed limit control. Driving on wet surfaces can lead to devastating car crashes. The Federal Highway Administration has found that almost 70% of weather-related crashes occur on wet pavement while 46% of car crashes occur during periods of rain.

Types of Weather-Related Crashes

Besides the rain, some of the other types of dangerous weather conditions include not just ice, snow, and sleet, but also fog and wind. Each of these conditions can negatively impact the visibility of drivers, which makes it difficult to see what lies ahead on the road. Ice or slush can disrupt a vehicle’s traction, which can make the vehicle more prone to spinning out or coming into contact with other vehicles on the road. Remember, all adverse weather conditions can present a substantial danger to motor vehicle drivers.

Pursuing Compensation After a Car Crash Caused by Weather

Around 418,000 individuals are harmed each year in weather-related crashes. Car crash victims can require hospital stays, extensive medical care, and rehabilitation. An injury encountered in a car crash can leave a person unable to work for an extended period of time and can cause substantial pain and suffering. If you are harmed in a crash caused by adverse weather conditions, you might wonder whether you can obtain compensation.

If someone else is responsible for causing your accident, you may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. While weather conditions might be a contributing factor in your crash, the presence of weather does not negate the negligent actions of another party in causing the accident.

Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions

Some helpful pieces of advice that you can follow while driving in the rain include the following:

Turn on your vehicle’s windshield wipers and headlights to make sure you have the greatest amount of visibility possible.
Take your time driving and maintain a greater amount of space between you and other vehicles on the road.