If you have ever traveled on an icy road, you can appreciate the hazards of driving on a sheet of ice. Even in states that have traditionally warm winter climates, there can be dips in the temperature along with accompanying precipitation. These two factors together will make for icy conditions on the road, and may increase the likelihood of an accident.
For example, in California, it is unusual to see winter temperatures dropping below freezing. But, if the temperatures do go below the freezing mark, and an area of the road experiences a water main break, then the conditions to develop ice have been put into play and drivers may be at an increased risk for accidents.
Also, when there is ice near bridges, there are special concerns for the drivers. Ice can typically freeze on the bridge before it freezes on the road. There are marker signs on the road in areas where this is known to happen, to warn drivers of this particular hazard. This means that the road may be completely clear and dry, but the surface of the bridge may be slick and icy. Bridges and roads are sometimes made of different materials, and that is why the bridge may completely freeze over, and yet the road remains dry and clear of any ice.
When drivers do not see the ice building on a roadway, they are susceptible to having an accident with other vehicles on the roads, if they do not reduce their speeds. In this case, drivers who travel at a high rate of speed, might undoubtedly at some point, lose control of their vehicle and hit other cars as a result.
When a driver loses control of a vehicle on ice, there is the opportunity to cause several accidents at once, to other drivers on the road. If a driver is going through a stop light, and does not heed the signal, then the other drivers may have to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. This could mean that drivers behind them may be at risk for a several car pile-up, or that it sets off a chain reaction, where many cars are defensively driving to avoid cars careening out of control on ice.
If a driver loses control, and hits one car, pushing it into an intersection unexpectedly – then, that car that was hit would possibly be at risk for being hit again by other cars as several drivers lose control on the ice. Even a car that slides off of the road, and has a single car accident, may be a hazard to other cars. If drivers passing the accident are more interested in the accident than the road, they may be distracted and lose control of their own vehicle to the icy conditions as a result. And finally, if someone stops to help anyone in these examples, and does not pull completely off of the roadway, there would be the chance that other cars attempting to get by the accident site would be hampered. It may cause other accidents because of the hazardous conditions.
If you have been in an accident with another driver because of ice on the road, you will need to talk to someone who understands the laws in this type of case. If you were in an accident where your car was involved in a multiple car pile-up, call the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or email us at www.ledgerlaw.com.
