Nevada car accidents can happen almost anywhere year in and year out, but they usually happen with a certain frequency when drivers behave carelessly during storms and other extreme weather conditions. Rain is very dangerous in the dry-weather states of Nevada. According to The Weather Channel, more deaths are caused on account of weather-related accidents as compared to major weather disasters, each year.
In other words, the risk of injury or death from a weather-related accident is greater than the risk of injury during a severe weather event such as an earthquake, flood, or tornado. In bad weather, the reckless or irresponsible behavior of another driver while driving on the roads can be quite disastrous. If you or your loved ones are injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver in bad weather, you should find out more by talking to an attorney who deals in Nevada car accidents.
According to the captain of the Reno Highway Patrol, there were 138 traffic accidents in the three days before Christmas due to snow and ice on the road. More than 50 accidents occurred on the periphery.
Facts about Weather-Related Nevada Car Accidents:
How common are weather-related accidents in Nevada? And who might be responsible for the injury?
Drivers in Nevada have certain legal obligations. The first is to comply with the rules of the road. The second is more abstract: motorists must drive safely to avoid accidents and injuries depending on certain interpretations when it starts to rain. Nevada law requires drivers to use windshield wipers when driving in the rain or snow. But this does not necessarily require the driver to slow down. The driver’s overall responsibility to drive safely leads to more intimate questions that need to be answered based on the facts of the events leading up to it.
We’ve compiled some facts and figures from The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The following statistics help define the context of weather disasters in Nevada:
- About 22 percent of all road traffic accidents each year are associated with weather conditions (a total of about 1,259,000 accidents)
- About 5,900 people die annually as a result of weather disasters
- Approximately 445,000 or more people sustained non-fatal injuries from weather-related accidents
- Some of the most dangerous conditions causing weather accidents are wet or frozen surfaces due to rain, snow, and hail
- Fog is also the leading cause of weather-related accidents across the country
- Reckless driving with minimum visibility has also caused several accidents, forcing other drivers off of the road
Different areas of Nevada can experience a wide variety of weather conditions, and accidents can occur for different reasons. In some situations, the negligence of the other driver can play an important role in the accident. In other cases, the road may have been in poor condition or not maintained, which contributes to the severity of the collision. If you are injured in an accident, it is important to discuss your case with a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Each accident must be judged on its merits. Bad weather not only imposes irresponsible driving but also additional responsibilities on drivers. Information about the weather at the time of the accident will be an important component of the injured driver’s claim against the faulty driver and their insurance.
Common Types of Nevada Weather Accidents:
Here, we regularly assist clients with various claims related to car accidents in Nevada. Some common types of weather-related collisions include, but are not limited to:
- Traffic accidents in the rain
- Foggy accidents
- Accidents caused by thunderstorms and lightning
- Crashes and collisions caused by a strong wind
- Accidents with snow and sleet
- Icing and freezing temperature crashes
- Hail accidents
- Failing to apply breaks on time
How Long Do I Have to File a Nevada Weather-Related Accident Claim?
Under Nevada law, people who are affected by any weather-related calamities usually have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you do not file your claim within this time frame, your claim may get denied. Therefore, you should start the complaint process as soon as possible by contacting an experienced lawyer.
Contact a Nevada Car Accident Attorney:
Were you injured in an accident due to the negligence of another driver during rain or fog? A Nevada car accidents attorney can speak with you today about your options for filing a claim. Contact us now for more information and book a free consultation.