As much as South Florida is known for its sunny, beautiful beaches, it is also notorious for rainstorms and hurricanes. Like any subtropical climate, Florida is susceptible to weather that changes in an instant. Unfortunately, many drivers do not change their actions when confronted with inclement weather, making dangerous maneuvers or driving too fast, which may lead to serious accidents and injuries. The Miami car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help victims who have been injured in a weather-related accident seek financial compensation from another driver.
Bringing a Claim Based on a Weather-Related AccidentThe Federal Highway Administration has stated that almost 25 percent of motor vehicle accidents involve weather activity of some variety. In South Florida especially, thunderstorms, high winds, fog, hail, and other severe conditions may appear suddenly. Most often, the culpable party for the injuries incurred in a weather-related accident is a negligent driver who fails to act in accordance with the weather conditions that are confronting them. However, sometimes, a weather-related accident may be due to debris that blows into the road, unsecured cargo falling from a truck, a driver with impaired vision because of rain, or another factor. Even if a collision only involves a single vehicle, other parties often may still be held accountable for the injuries, such as when a driver fails to secure their load properly to account for weather.
When a negligent driver does not match their driving practices with the situation at hand, victims injured in a weather-related accident may pursue a personal injury claim for damages. Negligence is present when a defendant breaches their owed duty of care to the victim, causing injuries and resulting in damages. All motorists owe one another a duty to act as a reasonable and prudent driver would act in the same or similar circumstances. A driver speeding through fog or heavy rain, or texting in such conditions, may be found to have acted unreasonably and thus breached the duty of care. A victim who shows the defendant’s negligence usually can recover damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of income and earning capacity, and pain and suffering, among other economic and non-economic losses.
When multiple parties were at fault for an accident, victims may recover compensation in proportion to each defendant’s degree of liability. Because of the nature of these accidents and insurance companies’ inclination to deny claims based on “acts of God,” it is important to consult a seasoned injury attorney who can assist you in determining the root of a collision.
Consult a Miami Attorney Following a Car CrashIf you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of a weather-related accident, the motor vehicle collisions at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can make sure that your legal rights are properly pursued. We offer compassionate and seasoned representation to victims and their families from the initial investigation into the source of a collision to the settlement or judgment that results. Our Miami attorneys also represent people in Miami, West Palm Beach, and other cities in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.