Heading toward the holiday season, no one would want to be in a hospital bed when others count down to the start of the New Year. New York weather conditions in December can change rapidly. Drivers who take to the road when the weather seems fine can face unexpected hazards almost in the blink of an eye. Safety authorities say more people die in weather-related car accidents each year than extensive weather disasters like floods, hurricanes and tornadoes.
Rain, sleet, snow, ice and fog can all cause problems. The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that while rain and wet roadways cause many accidents, dense fog, heavy snow, and blinding rain can suddenly reduce good visibility to almost zero within seconds. Squalls or intense bursts of heavy snowfall can cause slick roads and reduced visibility that take drivers by surprise.
While sudden snowstorms can lead to massive traffic pileups, blowing dust and fog can also catch drivers off guard. When fog closes in suddenly, drivers whose speed is too fast for prevailing conditions are a danger to themselves and others. When visibility changes unexpectedly, one rear-end crash can trigger chain-reaction accidents involving multiple vehicles.
Unfortunately, safe drivers are often the ones who have to suffer the consequences of the negligence of others. Victims of such car accidents in New York might have viable claims against negligent drivers. An experienced personal injury attorney can determine whether there are grounds for a civil lawsuit. The lawyer can then provide the necessary support and guidance throughout the ensuing legal proceedings in pursuit of financial relief for economic and noneconomic damages.
