The winter months are far more dangerous for drivers because car accidents can happen without warning.
Oftentimes, drivers cannot even see an icy patch before they run over it and lose control of their car. The clear ice you cannot see is called black ice, which is highly treacherous.
When drivers hit it, they can skid and hit other cars. If you have been injured in an accident due to black ice, we can help you as you seek financial compensation.
Our law firm will provide legal counsel as you seek to recover compensation for your injuries. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
What is Black Ice? How an Icy Patch Forms
Black ice is a thin layer on top of concrete or asphalt. It will form just above the freezing point on the surface.
Some snow will melt when the temperature is just above freezing.
The ice forms when the temperature drops overnight, and some ice is refrozen or when the snow melts and refreezes.
Many car accidents occur in snowy and icy conditions where drivers’ liability is an issue.
Why Black Ice Is Dangerous
Black ice gets its name because it takes its color from the surface beneath it.
Drivers cannot see black ice on the road beneath it since it is such a thin layer. Drivers only realize they have driven over the nearly invisible ice once they have lost control of their car.
They may already be on their way to causing a car crash at that point.
What Happens When a Car Crosses Over Black Ice?
The car may lose traction when it passes over a slippery spot on a black ice road.
The car’s tires will lose contact with the road, and the front or back of the car may spin out.
Sometimes, the car may go into a full skid, and the driver will leave their lane.
Where Black Ice Accidents Occur
These accidents could happen on any paved surface. They sometimes happen on the highway but are more likely to occur on city streets and side streets with shade.
Slow down and prepare for slippery surfaces when you see a sign on a bridge warning you that these areas freeze before others.
Causes of a Black Ice Accident
These ice accidents often happen because one driver has been careless. They are not using the reasonable care they need in inclement weather conditions.
When drivers know they may be ice, it is common knowledge that they should be extra careful.
A reasonable person would take the following steps to keep themselves and other drivers safe:
- Maintain a proper following distance between themselves and other vehicles
- Travel as slowly as necessary to travel safely over potentially icy roads
- Check tire condition often during the winter, making sure to replace bald or worn tires
- Do not use cruise control when driving in the winter season if there is the possibility of ice.
There are things drivers do that make black ice crashes more likely, which are signs of negligence on the driver’s part.
Other Causes of Black Ice Car Accidents
Drivers do other dangerous things behind the steering wheel that become far riskier when the temperature drops.
These include:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Reckless driving
- Driving at an unsafe speed
Drivers can otherwise make mistakes that cause them to unknowingly run over a patch of invisible ice. They may be in a hurry or not know how to drive in bad weather conditions.
It does not matter. They will be held liable for the accident regardless if they do not drive safely.
Some may think it unfair that a driver who loses control of their car because of the ice should have to pay for accident damages, but this is the rule because drivers should have anticipated the black ice and exercised caution.
How to Drive on Black Ice? How a Driver Should React
There are things that drivers can do to avoid slippery ice accidents when the car begins to lose traction. The best thing that a driver can do is as little as possible.
If they try to jam on the brakes, they will quickly lose control of the car. The driver should keep the steering wheel straight to the greatest extent possible.
If the driver feels their car skidding, they should gently steer in the same direction as the skid.
Drivers should not brake to a complete stop but try to decelerate slowly. Any sudden or jerky moves will make the situation worse.
Negligence in Weather-Related Accidents
In any car accident case, the negligent driver is responsible for paying for the other driver’s damages. Negligence is a legal term that has a definite meaning.
As applied by the courts, it describes someone who acted unreasonably under the circumstances.
When a driver loses control on black ice, they cannot always blame the conditions for the accident. They may have failed to take the precautions necessary to prevent the accident from happening in the first place.
For example, failing to slow down on surfaces known to be slippery, such as bridges or areas in the shade, may be negligence.
Injuries in a Black Ice Accident
A crash caused by slippery ice can be even more dangerous because one driver completely loses control of their car.
Drivers can suffer severe injury or even death due to a black ice road surface in a car crash. The injuries can be even worse when multiple vehicles are involved in the crash.
Here are some common severe injuries in a car crash caused by black ice:
- Fractures
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Sprains
Determining the At-Fault Driver in an Accident Caused By Icy Roads
After the car accident, injured drivers will take steps to pursue compensation. First, they would contact their own insurance company to report the accident.
Insurance adjusters from each driver’s own liability insurance company will speak to each of the drivers to get their version of events of what happened (Do not ever speak to the other driver’s insurance company, especially without your lawyer)
Drivers cannot avoid legal responsibility for a black ice car accident by arguing that they did not know the ice was there.
Those driving in Chicago know the weather conditions and should understand how black ice forms.
When driving in winter conditions, they must be conscientious when there could be black ice on the roadway.
Drivers cannot claim that they were surprised by the fact that there was black ice. The law holds that this is something that they need to anticipate based on the weather.
The ultimate answer of who is liable can be complicated. Based on how the crash occurs, it could be a multi-vehicle accident with one or more drivers involved.
Damages in a Car Accident Caused by Icy Conditions
If the other driver is found to be at fault for their action, they (or their liability insurance) would need to pay the following damages:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages if someone was killed
Free Case Review for Injured Motorists
If you have been injured in a black ice collision, call the experienced car accident injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers at (888) 424-5757 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.
We will work hard to recover compensation on your behalf for car accidents caused by another driver. We will explain your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries.
Call us today to begin our attorney-client relationship, which could lead to financial compensation.
