The Effects of Texas Weather Conditions on Road Safety and Accident Liability

Bad weather is nothing new to the Lone Star State, which is famous for its varied terrain and unpredictable climate.  In fact, a number of extreme weather events may impact the Lone Star State, posing different risks to drivers on the roads. Intense fog may restrict visibility to almost nothing, snowstorms can cover roads in a dangerous sheet of ice, tornadoes can rip through an area with little notice and leave a path of devastation in their wake, and thunderstorms can bring torrential rains and floods.

Moreover, inclement weather is a contributing factor in one out of every five car accidents in the United States, which results in over 418,000 injuries and almost 5,000 fatalities annually. And with more than 10% of all accidents being caused by weather, Texas is the state with the highest number of weather-related deaths in the country. These figures show how dangerous driving in poor weather is and how important it is to be careful and cautious, especially since the likelihood of weather-related incidents on Texas roadways is rising in tandem with the frequency of these severe weather events.

Preparing For Inclement Weather on Texas Roadways

It is critical to check your vehicle's maintenance and operation before heading out into bad weather. This includes checking the brakes, tire pressure, tread depth, and windshield wipers as part of your regular maintenance. It's not enough to plan your route so as to avoid bridges and roads that are blocked; you must also ensure that your car is capable of handling the potential road conditions in question.

Furthermore, when bad weather hits, you must adjust your driving and roadway behaviors to safely accommodate current conditions. You can greatly reduce the chances of skids and accidents by slowing down by one-third of the speed limit and extending the following distance to five or six seconds. Additionally, activating your turn signal as early as possible lets other drivers know what you're about to do, and keeping tuned to the local weather radio may tell you which routes are safest.

Last but not least, wearing a seatbelt in Texas is not just legally mandated but also a simple yet very effective safety practice that protects you in the event of a crash caused by weather. Also, to keep control in case of unexpected changes in road conditions, disable cruise control and steer clear of harsh braking and sudden turns.

Avoiding Hydroplaning on Texas Roads

Hydroplaning occurs when your car's tires physically lift off the roadway when skimming over the water. To lessen the danger, stay away from low-lying places where water pools, such as puddles. In addition, make sure you keep a safe distance behind big rigs or other large commercial vehicles, such as buses and trucks. The spray from these vehicles hitting puddles and standing water can make it much harder to see and manage your vehicle.

Vehicle speed, water depth, and tire tread depth are the three main variables that may lead to hydroplaning. It is essential to check that your tires have sufficient tread depth and correct inflation in order to avoid hydroplaning. Keep your cool and let off the throttle if you ever experience hydroplaning. Do not make any abrupt turns or brakes; doing so can lead you to skid. You should instead go in the direction of the skid, wait for your tires to get traction again, and then softly stop if necessary.

Because water collects on the sides of the road after heavy rains, driving in the central lanes is also generally safer. You can reduce the likelihood of hydroplaning in your car by staying away from these regions.

How to Drive Safely in Foggy Conditions

In low-lying and coastal parts of Texas, fog can descend rapidly, drastically reducing visibility. Take advantage of your fog lights and low-beam headlights while driving in foggy conditions. High beams typically reflect off of the fog, decreasing your visibility of the road.

Use your emergency flashers if the fog is heavy. To stay in your lane, look for painted road markers on the right side of the road. Other drivers may have trouble seeing you, so it's best to maintain your lane and not overtake or pass other drivers unless absolutely necessary. When driving gets dangerously foggy, pull over to the side of the road, activate your emergency flashers, and stay parked until the fog lifts.

Weather Conditions and Accident Liability in Texas

In the event of an accident, drivers are legally required to exercise extra caution while driving in inclement weather. In Texas, inclement weather is usually not a valid excuse for causing an accident. Drivers are obliged to adapt to the current weather conditions, and failing to do so may result in legal liability in the case of an accident.

Drivers in Texas are held liable for their acts, and the "act of God" argument is seldom accepted in court since the state is an at-fault state. Basically, if you are injured in a car accident in Texas, you have access to a myriad of options. You may either file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company or file a lawsuit against the other driver.  Like other states, Texas requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance coverage.

However, when multiple parties are determined to share fault for an accident, Texas uses a version of the comparative fault standard known as modified comparative fault. In other words, the amount of damages awarded to a plaintiff is decreased by an amount that is proportional to the plaintiff's level of fault in the incident.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Dallas

At the Rasansky Law Firm in Dallas, our team has more than three decades of experience assisting clients who have been injured in incidents caused by careless and reckless drivers. In addition, our customers get trustworthy legal assistance from our group of highly experienced and highly regarded lawyers who work together as a team.

Contact our injury accident lawyers in Dallas at (214) 651-6100 for a free case review 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you were harmed in a vehicle accident in the state of Texas and have concerns about how to proceed with your case. Whether your crash was caused by inclement weather or another driver's negligent actions, we're here to help you learn more about your options and rights in the aftermath.