Liability After a New Jersey Car Accident on an Icy Road
New Jersey is a state that experiences all four seasons, including the winter. And winter in New Jersey can get very cold, with winter weather systems causing sleet, ice, and snow. If you are driving in New Jersey and it is icy out, this fact alone can make operating your car much more complex, and you will have to adjust how you drive in the conditions.
Driving on icy roads is dangerous even if you take all the proper precautions. This is because the only driver’s behavior you can control is your own, not that of other drivers. If drivers are speeding or engaging in other unsafe driving practices, they can easily slide and lose control of their vehicle. This can lead to them slamming into you alone or being the catalyst for a multi-vehicle pileup.
Whether you were only hit by another driver on an icy road or if you were one of many vehicles involved in an accident on an icy road, if you were injured, you would likely want to know what your legal options are for recovering payment for the losses you sustained. However, since weather was a factor, determining liability may not be straightforward.
To have your claim examined by an experienced South Jersey car accident attorney, you can call Monaco Law PC. Initial consultations to review car accident cases are always complimentary.
Who is Responsible for an Accident on an Icy Road in New Jersey?
It is essential to assess all of the details of a New Jersey car accident to figure out who may be liable. When a car accident happens on icy roads, depending on the circumstances, one or more parties could be responsible. Consider the following:
Other Drivers
Despite the speed limit being set on each road, when weather conditions are not ideal, drivers must adjust their speed and driving behavior to account for inclement weather like ice. If a driver was driving fast, tailgating, aggressively driving, or engaged in another type of negligent driving behavior, then a driver may be liable.
The Condition of the Road
Certain entities are responsible for the upkeep of roads. If ice is left untreated or if the road has major defects due to a failure of road maintenance, then the party responsible for the condition of the road could be liable.
Defective Vehicles
If a part of a car is defective, if mechanical issues arise, or if tires are faulty, an accident can happen. In this situation, a vehicle manufacturer or whatever repair shop responsible for car maintenance could be liable.
Speak to a New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney Today
Suppose you were injured in a New Jersey car accident. In that case, you may call our experienced South Jersey personal injury lawyer at Monaco Law PC at (609) 277-3166 for our New Jersey office and (215) 546-3166 for our office in Pennsylvania to discuss your case today.
We are a New Jersey personal injury law firm serving Atlantic County, Burlington County, Cape May County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Ocean County, Salem County, and all of South Jersey.
Source:
nj.gov/transportation/refdata/accident/crash_statistics.shtm
