Winter driving comes with many hazards, including snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. In addition to slippery pavement, snow and ice on top of a vehicle can also increase the risk of a snow on roof of car accident. Flying ice and snow may lead to hundreds of accidents each year. Snow on car roof and trucks can be very dangerous and cause serious damage and injury.
It’s very important for drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles before heading out. This will ensure the safety of themselves and others and to avoid legal consequences. When snow or packed ice accumulates on roofs and then slides off while driving, it can create hazardous conditions for other drivers. Ice and snow on semi-trucks may be particularly dangerous because they are so much higher than other vehicles.
If you or a loved one was injured by falling snow or ice from another vehicle, seek the help of an experienced local car accident lawyer. They can discuss your legal rights and help you secure a full and fair settlement for your injuries and losses.
Risks of Flying Snow and Ice
Snow or ice flying off of vehicles can cause serious damage to other cars and the people inside of them. Accumulated snow or ice on a vehicle, especially on the roof, hood, or trunk, can be dangerous to other drivers.
- Falling snow and ice can obstruct a driver’s visibility, leading to reduced reaction time and increased risk of accidents. Additionally, if the falling snow is heavy, it can damage or block windshields, causing further safety concerns.
- As temperatures start to warm, ice packed on top of vehicles and semis can begin to loosen. When combined with rushing wind from driving, the ice can lift off like a feather and crash through a windshield like a brick.
- Falling ice chunks can crack and cave in windshields and potentially injure passengers with spraying glass fragments. If the ice chunk breaks through the glass, it could impale and kill a passenger.
Can Drivers be Held Responsible for Damages and Injuries Caused by Not Clearing Snow and Ice?
Yes, drivers can be held responsible for damages and injuries caused by not clearing snow and ice from their vehicles. If drivers do not clear snow and ice completely from their vehicle and it causes damage to another vehicle. This can result in injury or death to a person because it falls off a vehicle while it is in motion, the responsible driver may be held liable for the resulting consequences. A settlement would come out of the driver’s insurance policy.
In many places, there are laws and regulations that require drivers to ensure their vehicles are free from hazards such as accumulated snow and ice before driving. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, citations, and civil liability for any damages or injuries that occur as a result of the negligence.
Is it Illegal to Drive with Snow On Your Roof?
Laws about failing to clear snow from your vehicle before driving vary by jurisdiction. In many places, it is considered unsafe and may be subject to penalties such as fines and citations for operating an unsafe vehicle.
Some states have specific regulations that require drivers to clear their vehicles of snow and ice before driving. In Washington State, drivers are legally required to secure their load. While there is no RCW that mentions snow or ice specifically, RCW 46.61.655 (3) states: “Any vehicle operating on a paved public highway with a load of dirt, sand, or gravel susceptible to being dropped, spilled, leaked, or otherwise escaping therefrom shall be covered so as to prevent spillage.”
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer. We can discuss your legal rights and what you should do. Let an experienced car 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!
