Winter weather, characterized in northern states like Michigan by heavy rain, snow, and ice, necessitates that drivers reduce speed and exercise increased caution. However, some drivers fail to follow this guidance, resulting in preventable accidents that can lead to severe injuries.

In 2022, Michigan drivers experienced 42 fatal accidents due to ice, 34 in snow, and 126 due to wet conditions on the road. Speeding caused 209 fatalities and 26,996 accidents that year.

You may be eligible for compensation if you’ve been injured in an accident due to another driver’s failure to adjust their speed for adverse weather. Our Michigan car accident lawyers at Fieger Law can protect your rights and assist in securing the compensation you deserve for a weather-related, speed-induced crash.

How Adverse Conditions Affect Vehicle Handling

Winter conditions alter how vehicles handle, challenging safe maneuverability. Rain, snow, and ice can turn roads into slippery hazards, reducing tire traction and impacting the vehicle’s ability to maintain a firm grip on the road’s surface.

This can result in challenges with accelerating, braking, and steering. For instance, cars can take up to 10 times longer to stop on icy roads and struggle to maintain a straight path during heavy snowfall.

Adverse weather conditions can also affect visibility, impacting driving safety. Dense fog, heavy rain, or a snowstorm can reduce drivers’ ability to see the road ahead clearly. This makes it hard to spot other vehicles, pedestrians, or potential hazards in time, increasing the risk of a collision.

If winter weather led to your injuries in a vehicle crash, speak with a car accident lawyer at Fieger Law. We can investigate your collision to determine who was at fault and help you file a claim against the other driver if they caused the accident.

Why Speeding Increases Accident Risk and Severity

Speeding in adverse conditions increases the already elevated risk of accidents. On slippery roads, a vehicle moving at high speeds gives the driver less time to respond to sudden events. The increased momentum also makes it harder to stop the vehicle, leading to a greater likelihood of collisions.

In a study on state speed limits, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (III) found that a 5 mph increase in speed limit led to an 8.5% rise in freeway fatality rates and 2.8% on other roads.

Accidents that happen under adverse conditions are often more serious. As speed escalates, so does the force of impact, leading to greater vehicle damage and more severe injuries to those inside. What could have been a minor accident at lower speeds can become a life-threatening collision when one or both vehicles are speeding, potentially resulting in expensive medical expenses and time away from work.

If you’ve suffered losses from a collision caused by speeding, reach out to Fieger Law for a complimentary case review. Our experienced attorneys can help hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue compensation through an insurance claim or a lawsuit in court.

What If You Are Going the Speed Limit in Adverse Conditions?

Many drivers think driving at the speed limit is okay in bad weather, but this isn’t always safe. Speed limits are set for perfect conditions, like dry roads and clear skies. These limits can be too fast in rain, snow, or fog.

Bad weather means slowing down and taking extra precautions on the road. Law enforcement agencies often post reduced speed advisories during adverse weather conditions to account for the increased dangers. Failing to lower your speed to adjust for conditions can result in tickets and fines and increase the risk of a collision.

If another driver was recklessly speeding and caused a crash, you can hold them legally responsible for your damages. Work with a car accident lawyer from Fieger Law to help you recover compensation.

How Our Attorneys Can Help Prove Reckless Driving

To secure compensation for a car accident in poor weather, it’s necessary to demonstrate that the other driver was negligent. This process involves gathering clear evidence and adopting a strategic approach, best managed with the assistance of a qualified attorney.

Here’s how Fieger Law can establish reckless driving in challenging weather conditions to assist you in winning your case:

  • Gather weather reports: Our attorneys can obtain official weather data from the time and date of the accident to demonstrate icy, snowy, or rainy conditions.
  • Collect traffic camera or dashcam footage: We can search for accessible camera footage demonstrating the other driver’s actions in response to weather conditions. Additionally, we can examine GPS data to determine their speed during the crash.
  • Obtain witness statements: Our team can interview witnesses to collect accounts of the other driver’s reckless behavior, such as speeding or disregarding road signs.
  • Accident reconstruction: We can collaborate with experts to recreate the accident scene, highlighting how the driver’s actions were unsafe for the conditions.
  • Analyze police reports: We can analyze the police report for specific details such as the time of the accident, prevailing weather conditions, state of traffic signals, and statements from drivers. This information helps us reconstruct what occurred and identify any negligent actions by the other driver.

Get Skilled Legal Representation for Your Car Accident Case

Navigating accidents that occur in challenging driving conditions demands the expertise of a seasoned attorney. With over seventy years of experience, Fieger Law has steadfastly advocated for the rights of accident victims across Michigan.

Our award-winning attorneys know what it takes to establish negligence in auto accidents. We can help you file for maximum compensation from a driver whose reckless speeding caused the accident.

Contact us today for a free consultation where we can discuss your accident, answer questions, and get you started on a path toward financial recovery.