Strong winds can be really unsettling when you’re driving because it can make your car feel like it is being whipped back and forth, especially at higher speeds on the highway. High winds are typically defined as winds at sustained speeds of 40 to 57 mph. High winds are often overlooked as a danger to drivers but the reality is that windy weather increases the risk of car accidents year because it can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
How Windy Weather Increases the Risk of Car Accidents
We think about the dangers of driving in a snow or rain storm, but many drivers don’t realize the risks of driving in high winds. There are several ways that winds can affect safety on the roads, including:
- Reduced vehicle control. Very strong winds can make a car feel like it is being tossed around and in a worst-case scenario, the wind is strong enough to push the vehicle out of its lane or even off the road. Broadside vehicles like semi-trucks can even be overturned in high winds.
- Decreased visibility. If there is dust or dirt on the roads, high winds are sure to pick it up and swirl it in the air, making it more difficult to see clearly.
- Flying debris. When debris is being blown around the roadway, sudden and unexpected obstructions can show up in front of vehicles, causing swerving to avoid the obstacle. Even scarier, flying debris can come crashing through a windshield or other window, causing a driver to crash and/or become seriously injured.
Determining liability in an accident involving windy weather
Liability for car accidents is determined by whether one or both drivers violated their “reasonable duty of care” to protect others on the road through negligent actions or inaction. This is trickier to determine when an accident may have been caused by high winds. For example, if a vehicle is pushed into another lane by the wind and side-swipes another vehicle, is the driver liable for injuries and property damage because they did not maintain control of their vehicle? A car accident lawyer can help answer that question based on the particular circumstances of your accident.
How a car accident lawyer can help
If you were injured in an accident where wind was a factor, don’t give up on the idea of a settlement. Drivers are expected to take weather conditions into account when they are driving as part of their duty of care.
Whenever there are extenuating circumstances (such as weather conditions) around a motor vehicle accident that can make it harder to determine who was at fault, it’s extra important to consult with a car accident lawyer. A car accident attorney will look at every angle of your car accident to help you fight for a full and fair settlement. They will conduct a thorough investigation to collect all evidence and, if necessary, work with an expert to reconstruct the accident to identify all liable parties.
Seek the help of a personal injury lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
