Driving in San Diego can be treacherous when bad weather strikes. The sunny skies we enjoy most days can quickly turn stormy during the rainy season. Or dense fog can roll in with little warning, dropping visibility to just a few feet.
These adverse weather conditions lead to significantly increased risks for motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by bad weather in San Diego, you may have a right to compensation.
At Pasternack Injury Law Group, our experienced car accident attorneys have a proven track record of recovering maximum compensation for clients injured in weather-related crashes. We handle the entire legal process so you can focus on healing and getting your life back on track.
How Common Bad Weather Events Cause Accidents
Slick Roads Are a Leading Cause of Accidents
The rare rainy day in San Diego can lead to treacherous driving conditions. For drivers unaccustomed to wet weather, the slick roads can come as an unwelcome surprise. Rain causes oil and grease to rise to the surface, creating slippery conditions. Tires lose traction, and braking distances increase dramatically. Even cautious drivers can lose control, resulting in spinouts or collisions.
We see upticks in accidents every year when the first rains arrive after months of dry weather. Drivers must remember to slow down, increase following distance, and avoid abrupt stops or turns. If you hydroplaned or slid into another vehicle, our bad weather car accident lawyers can help determine fault and secure compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage.
Fog and Glare Reduce Visibility, Leading to Rear-End Collisions
Even more dangerous than rain are foggy conditions that are frequent along the coast and valleys. When dense fog rolls in, visibility can drop to just a few feet. Darkly-clothed pedestrians and vehicles can appear out of nowhere. Rear-end collisions become almost unavoidable if drivers fail to slow down.
Sun glare can be just as blinding during San Diego’s sunny days. Driving east in the early morning or west in the late afternoon, the sun directly in your eyes can make it impossible to see the vehicle stopping ahead. Even with sunglasses, sun glare results in numerous chain-reaction crashes.
If you were struck from behind in the fog or couldn’t stop in time due to glare, our lawyers will establish fault so you can recover damages for medical bills, lost income, and other accident-related costs.
Gusty Winds Blow Vehicles Off Course
Strong Santa Ana winds frequently rake San Diego with gusts of 60 mph or more. These desiccating winds have played a role in some of California’s largest wildfires. But they also impact drivers year-round.
Trucks, campers, and other high-profile vehicles are especially susceptible to crosswinds. A sudden gust can force a vehicle across the center line or off the road entirely. Drivers must maintain vigilant control of steering and be prepared for wind blasts that seem to appear from nowhere.
If winds push your vehicle into oncoming traffic or a roadside obstacle, you shouldn’t have to bear the costs. Our bad weather accident attorneys will investigate crash details so you can recover losses from the at-fault driver.
Flooded Streets Endanger Drivers
Most San Diegans welcome the rain to quench our dry climate. But heavy downpours can overwhelm storm drains and pool on roadways. Just a few inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle or stall the engine.
Flooded streets require extreme caution. Avoid driving through standing water whenever possible. If your vehicle became trapped or submerged, obtaining compensation may require demonstrating the city failed to provide adequate drainage. Our personal injury attorneys have the resources to build strong cases against government entities. We can demonstrate that the city holds some responsibility for areas with inadequate drainage that repeatedly flood and endanger drivers. Your accident damages could potentially be recovered through a claim or lawsuit against the city.
Types of Injuries From Bad Weather Accidents
While no crash is benign, bad weather accidents often involve higher speeds and unpredictable collisions. This increases the odds of significant injuries:
- Whiplash – Violent jerking motions on slick roads can cause strained neck and back muscles.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – Impact on the steering wheel, windshield, or another vehicle can cause concussions.
- Broken Bones – Fractured arms, legs, ribs, or vertebrae are common in high-force weather-related crashes.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Paralysis is possible if the spinal column is damaged in a dangerous weather accident.
Documenting these injuries and connecting them to the at-fault driver is critical. Our law firm will obtain medical records, specialty doctor reports, and other evidence to prove damages.
Seeking Compensation for Bad Weather Accidents
Successfully recovering damages after a weather-related accident requires legal skill and determination. Crash victims may be tempted to directly negotiate with insurance companies. But insurers seek to minimize payouts, not maximize your rightful compensation.
Our attorneys excel at the complex legal process of:
- Proving liability and the at-fault driver’s negligence through weather reports, witness statements, police reports, and other evidence
- Thoroughly documenting the full extent of damages through medical records, specialist statements, treatment cost receipts, and calculations of lost income and other losses.
- Negotiating tenaciously with insurers to obtain fair settlements or litigating in court if reasonable agreements cannot be reached
This comprehensive legal representation lets you focus on healing while we fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Filing a personal injury claim and maneuvering the claims process after a serious accident can feel overwhelming. Insurance companies have adjustors and lawyers working to minimize payouts. But legal guidance and advocacy make a major difference in injury cases:
- We have intricate knowledge of California’s liability laws and how to prove the other driver’s fault.
- Our robust resources allow investigation of crash details that may be missed by authorities.
- We employ proven negotiation tactics, so insurers take claims seriously.
- If fair settlements cannot be reached, we have the litigation experience to take cases to court.
With an accomplished car accident lawyer on your side, you can have confidence you will receive the damages the law entitles.
Contact Our San Diego Bad Weather Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love suffered harm in a San Diego weather-related accident, Pasternack Injury Law Group wants to help. We know how to build strong cases and maximize compensation for crash victims. We handle every aspect of the claims process so you can focus on healing and recovery. Our attorneys and staff treat every client like our own family member.
We will aggressively pursue the damages you deserve while providing compassionate support. Don’t go it alone against the insurance companies – they want to pay as little as possible. With us as your advocates, you can have confidence that you will get the maximum settlement the law allows.
Contact us online for a free consultation with our dedicated bad-weather accident attorneys. The first step toward getting your life back is letting us help fight for the compensation you deserve.
