Snow and Ice Car Accidents

Attorneys for Victims of Car Crashes in Cape Cod

Winters in Cape Cod generally bring snow and ice, which can result in icy roads. While winter weather can create idyllic scenery, it unfortunately also increases the risk of car accidents. Although drivers are required to operate their vehicles safely in any scenario, many drivers negligently fail to adjust their driving in winter weather, and their reckless driving causes collisions. If you have been injured in a vehicle collision caused by snow or ice, you may have options for seeking damages for your harm. At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, our Cape Cod car accident lawyers are skilled at proving liability for auto crashes and collectively have more than one-hundred fifty years of experience. Our dedicated advocacy has enabled us to secure numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for the people we represent.

Causes of Snow and Ice Car Accidents

Anyone who operates a vehicle in Massachusetts has a duty to drive safely in consideration of the current circumstances, including weather conditions. Specifically, motorists have to adjust their speed and their following distance when the roads are slippery due to snow and ice to reduce the risk of harm. When drivers travel too fast for conditions, they may lose control of their vehicles, causing a collision. Similarly, drivers that follow the vehicles in front of them too closely may be unable to stop in time to avoid an accident. Drivers who fail to remove snow or ice from their vehicles prior to entering the roadway can also cause accidents if the snow or ice detaches from their vehicle and obstructs another driver’s vision or causes another driver to lose control. Even if a driver is operating his or her vehicle as safely as possible, an accident may still occur if the road the driver is traveling on was not properly cleared of ice or snow.

Proving Liability for a Snow and Ice Car Accident

In most cases, regardless of whether an accident occurs due to careless driving or an unsafe road, the underlying cause of the accident is negligence. In Massachusetts, an injured person seeking damages in a civil lawsuit under a theory of negligence must first show that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care. Generally speaking, the duty owed is the duty to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would employ. In cases arising out of snow or ice accidents, the duty owed may be construed as the duty to drive safely, or to ensure that the roadways were cleared efficiently and effectively. The injured person must then show that the defendant acted or failed to act in a manner that constituted a breach of the duty, and that the breach caused the accident. In other words, the injured person must show that the accident would not have occurred without the breach. Lastly, the injured person has to prove that he or she suffered measurable damages due to the accident. A skilled car accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove the damages you have sustained.

Damages Recoverable in Cases Arising Out of Snow and Ice Car Accidents

If you were injured in a car accident caused by snow or ice, you may be owed compensation for the cost of any medical treatment you underwent as a result, including hospitalizations, therapy, and prescriptions. If you were unable to work because of your injuries, you may be awarded damages for loss of earnings as well. You may also be awarded damages for any suffering or pain you endured due to your injuries.

Meet with an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Cape Cod

When a driver loses control of a vehicle in snowy or icy conditions, it can result in a devastating accident. If you were injured in an accident caused by snow or ice, you may be able to recover damages. The experienced car accident attorneys of the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, can potentially advocate in your favor to help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to. Our skillful representation has afforded us a record of successful outcomes, with many verdicts and settlements in excess of one million dollars. We assist injured parties in lawsuits in Cape Cod, and we are available for consultations in Plymouth and Hyannis. You can reach us at 888-262-6664 or through our form online to set up a meeting. Nós Falamos Português.