Call (800) 863-5312 To Talk With Car Accident Attorneys Near You
Sliding on ice is a frightening situation for any driver. Even if you think you’re driving safely given the road conditions, ice might cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Following a car accident on ice, you may be concerned about whether your auto insurance will fully cover the damage of the accident. You are also likely wondering to what extent a driver who lost control of their vehicle can be held liable.
If you were involved in a car accident on ice, the car accident attorneys from Zinda Law Group can help you understand how your insurance provider might handle your case. For a 100% free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 today.
Types of Damages in Sliding-on-ice accidents?
There are several types of damages that you could receive compensation for following a car accident that occurs on ice. All the damage suffered as a result of the accident will have to be accounted for, but generally, compensable damages can be placed in one of three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic
Compensation for economic damages is meant to cover any hard costs associated with the injury. The idea is to put you into the position that you were in before you suffered your injury. Recoverable economic damages usually include:
- Medical Expenses
- Earnings Losses
- Property Damage
With economic damages, compensation is based on objectively verifiable costs. Things such as hospital bills and lost pay due to time away from work are tangible costs, for example.
Non-Economic
Compensation for non-monetary losses is meant to restore the victim’s quality of life. The cost of these damages is subjective, thusly making the area ripe for contention. Non-monetary losses typically include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Due to the severity of the injury, you may be denied the enjoyment of interacting with others on an equal footing, including family members or taking part in athletic pursuits, social and community events, hobbies, volunteer work, and other activities. This loss, which directly affects our quality of life, is what the law refers to as “non-noneconomic.”
Punitive
Compensation for punitive damages is meant to punish the defendant for egregious conduct and to deter them from engaging in the same behavior in the future. Punitive damages are available in limited circumstances because the threshold for egregious conduct is so high.
To determine whether you can get punitive damages in your case, call the car accident attorneys from Zinda Law group at (800) 863-5312, and receive a 100% free consultation.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWho’s at fault in an ice-related accident?
In most cases, the insurance company will consider a slide on ice that results in contact with a vehicle or object as an at-fault claim. Regardless of whether the police officer gave you a ticket, your insurance company will determine who is to blame. Usually, the cause is cited as driving too quickly for the circumstances, however, in many cases, who is to blame for the accident cannot be determined without further investigation.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationHow to avoid Car Accidents on Icy Roads
After sliding on ice, many drivers believe they are not at fault. Staying off the road is your best line of defense against slipping on ice. If you do need to drive when the road is icy, make sure to:
- Give the automobile in front of you plenty of room
- Maintain a speed that allows you to operate your car
- Avoid slamming on the brakes
It can be difficult to avoid sliding on ice, but there are some tactics you can use to lessen your risk of doing so and your likelihood of needing to make an insurance claim.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat Should You Do if You Hit Ice While Driving?
Ice is more likely to form in the early morning and late at night. The sun cannot melt the ice on the roadways during these hours, and visibility is poor. Additionally, bridges are more prone to freezing and are more easily cooled by air flowing underneath them.
You can better prepare for hazardous conditions if you know what kinds of weather to look for. Black ice forms when it’s below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and it’s raining. By knowing what to look for, you can adjust your driving style accordingly. To this point, keep in mind that any acceleration or deceleration (even applying the brakes) might not happen as anticipated, so leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
If you or your loved one has suffered injury or death in a car accident involving ice, you may be wondering how the injuries occurred, who may be at fault, and whether you will be able to get compensation for emotional or financial losses. While each situation is different, below are the answers to some commonly asked questions:
Are You at Fault if You Slide on Ice?
When snow or ice play a part in an automobile accident, insurance companies examine the circumstances of the claim just like they would for any other claim. You might believe that the accident wasn’t your fault. Unfortunately, at least in the eyes of the insurance provider, this isn’t always the case.
To the insurance company, drivers should take certain precautions to lower the likelihood of an accident. Despite drivers having little control of the weather or the state of the road, the assumption made by your insurance provider is that you must maintain control of your car even in poor driving circumstances.
Accordingly, the insurance company will assign blame based on an analysis of multiple factors including your speed and the measures you took to avoid the collision. Additionally, the insurance company will consider eyewitness accounts and evidence from the scene to determine who was ultimately responsible.
Is Sliding on Ice Covered by Insurance?
The fact that your insurance company may allege that you are partially to blame for an accident may come as a shock to you. While it’s true that your insurance company might deny your claims, you always have the choice to appeal a decision that you disagree with.
However, even though you might be able to claim that bad weather contributed to your accident, keep in mind that your insurance provider is unlikely to accept this as the only evidence in its fault inquiry. Accordingly, the insurance company’s denial will likely be upheld unless you can prove that another party also played a role in the collision.
In such cases, the “comparative fault rule” is often used to determine the amount of compensation that you are owed following the accident. Under the comparative fault rule, your compensation is relative to the degree to which you are at blame for the accident. For instance, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were 40% to blame for the collision, you would only be eligible for $60,000 in compensation.
Need Help? Contact Zinda Law Group Today
The personal injury lawyers from Zinda Law Group are here to help you if you or a loved one was injured in an on-ice car accident. Our team is here to evaluate your claim and help develop a legal strategy for your case.
We have the knowledge and ability to guide you through each step of the legal process, from investigation to settlement negotiations, to your day in court. After hearing the facts of your case, we will not hesitate in taking your case to court if that’s what it takes to help you get fair and just compensation.
To schedule your 100% free consultation with an experienced bedsore injury attorney, contact us today at (800) 863-5312. As always, you will not pay anything unless we get a favorable outcome for your case – that’s our “No Win, No Fee” guarantee.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
