Wet Road Accidents
Vehicle Collision Attorney in Massachusetts
In the Northeast, winter storms are a common occurrence. Most drivers understand that inclement weather requires a more cautious approach to driving, but unfortunately some drivers fail to change the way they drive when the road is wet and more dangerous than usual. If you were involved in a wet road accident, you may be entitled to compensation. A dedicated Massachusetts car accident lawyer at our firm is available to assist people harmed in vehicle collisions throughout the state. We understand how important it is for a victim to receive knowledgeable, attentive, and compassionate legal advice during this stressful time.
How Wet Road Accidents Happen in Massachusetts
When severe weather occurs, it changes the entire surface of the roadway. From severe rain to ice to snow, drivers need to take note of these conditions because they can impact how they should operate their vehicles. Wet roadways can make it more difficult to stop, for example. If there is heavy rain, then visibility may also be reduced meaning that a greater following distance and reduced speed are necessary to ensure safe travel. When the road is wet, cars traveling at high speed can often cause water to spray up and hit the windshield and windows of any vehicles traveling nearby. This is another reason why an increased following distance, reduced speed, and other precautions may be necessary when the pavement is wet.
If the temperature drops when there is moisture on the roadway, there is a high chance that pools of water could freeze there. Ice is a serious danger for drivers, especially if it is black ice, which is extremely difficult to see. If a car hits ice, the driver may lose control and be unable to regain control of the vehicle. This can cause vehicles to slide off the roadway or veer into oncoming traffic.
Holding a Careless Driver Responsible
If you were injured in a wet road accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the driver who caused the crash. In many cases, accidents involving wet roadways can happen quickly and it can be hard to know who is at fault. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you figure out whether you are entitled to compensation, and which parties to name in a civil injury lawsuit. Once you’ve named parties in the lawsuit, you must show that the defendant failed to use reasonable care and skill behind the wheel, and that you were injured as a direct and foreseeable result.
One way to establish that the other driver did not operate his or her vehicle with the appropriate standard of care and caution is to obtain a police report following the accident. This document can help determine the sequence of events that led to the crash. Obtaining witness statements is another way to establish that the other driver was speeding, tailgating, acting aggressively or failing to use caution on the roadway in light of the weather conditions.
After proving that the other driver acted negligently, you must show that this conduct was the direct cause of your injuries. If the other driver can show that some other factor was the substantial cause of your injuries and damages, he or she may not be legally required to provide you with compensation even if he or she was acting negligently at the time of the accident. Evidence of your own negligent conduct can also be admitted in the lawsuit and could compromise your ability to receive compensation. Having seasoned legal counsel at your side during this process can help you to contest any arguments that your own conduct contributed to your damages.
Massachusetts Lawyer for Motorists Injured in Car Accidents
It can be incredibly frustrating and stressful to have to deal with the aftermath of a car accident, especially if you are suffering from serious injuries. An attorney at our firm can provide a free and confidential consultation to help you learn more about personal injury lawsuits in Massachusetts, and whether you may have a right to recovery from the person who injured you. We are available to serve clients in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Dedham, Newton, Somerville, Lowell, Waltham, Norwood, Quincy, Brookline, and Peabody. To schedule your appointment, call (800) 262-9200, or contact us online to get started.
