CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH SNOW CHAIN LIABILITY LAWYERS FOR FREE
Driving in snowy conditions can often be dangerous, as snow can make it easy to lose control of a vehicle. In some cases, snow chains may be necessary to make your car safe to drive. However, if these snow chains are faulty or improperly installed, they can actually cause an accident rather than prevent them.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving snow chains, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney from Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 today for a free consultation. If we are not able to win your case, you will not owe us anything.
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED SNOW CHAINS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT
Driving in adverse winter conditions requires great care to avoid an accident. If the roads are especially snowy or iced over, you may have to install snow chains on your tires to help your vehicle maintain traction on what would otherwise be a dangerously slippery road surface. In some states, the usage of snow chains is restricted by law, and it may only be legal to use them during certain conditions or in certain areas. If you use snow chains, your speed should be restricted to no more than 30 mph, as driving any faster may not only damage the snow chains but cause them to fail. Snow chains are meant to help prevent accidents and help give motorists a better sense of security when driving in adverse conditions.
However, if the snow chains are faulty or improperly installed, they may fail or not function properly, causing the driver to lose control of the car resulting in an accident. Snow chains should be fitted tightly, with all connections securely fastened. It is important to ensure that snow chains are the appropriate size for the tires they will be attached to. Snow chains should be inspected for defects or wear before use, as worn snow chains could fail while driving. It is also important to not utilize these chains before or after they are needed, as it not only damages the pavement, but may also damage the chains and vehicle.
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FILE A CLAIM IF A SNOW CHAIN CAUSED AN ACCIDENT
If you have recently been involved in a car accident that was caused by a snow chain failure, you may be able to file a snow chain liability claim to seek any compensation you may be entitled to. The purchase of snow chains is intended to prevent an accident from occurring, but improper installation or a faulty snow chain can cause undesired performance that may not only potentially damage the vehicle, but it may also lead to an accident. In addition to the property damage, vehicle accidents may result in injuries, which may be serious and life-threatening or even fatal. This can all place a considerable strain on the victim’s financial situation, as medical bills begin to mount and missed work takes its toll. If you have recently been injured in a car accident that may have been caused by faulty or improperly installed tire chains, you should consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help you pursue any compensation you may be entitled to.
WHO MAY BE LIABLE?
Who may be liable for your accident is generally dependent on the details and nature of your accident. If the accident was caused by faulty or improperly installed snow chains, the liable parties may include the snow chain manufacturer, snow chain retailer, or the snow chain installer.
Snow Chain Manufacturer
If you are in an accident as the result of your defective snow chain failing, the snow chain manufacturer may be responsible. The manufacturer has an obligation to ensure that their products are without defect, and that they will operate safely when used as intended. The manufacturer must also ensure that the product’s design is not flawed in such a way that would cause the product to function improperly when used as intended. If they fail to ensure their product is safe and will not cause an accident when properly utilized, the snow chain manufacturer may be liable for damages resulting from a car accident caused by snow chains potentially being faulty or defective, and the victim may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Read More: Product Liability Lawyers
Snow Chain Retailer
Tires come in various sizes, depending on the make and model of the vehicle they are mounted on. As a result, it is important to use the right snow chain size so they function properly. If a retailer affirmatively represents that a certain set of snow chains is correct for your vehicle, and they prove to not be the correct size, the retailer may be liable for damages in the event of an accident caused by the snow chain’s failure. The retailer may also be liable for any injuries caused by faulty snow chain accidents.
Snow Chain Installer
To function safely and as intended, snow chains must be properly installed. The chains must be placed on the correct set of wheels, such as the front wheels of a front-wheel drive. If the chains are placed on the wrong set of wheels, they will not perform their function and may give the driver a false sense of security. The chains must also be appropriately secured to the wheel and made adequately tight. Failure to properly perform these tasks when installing snow chains may cause the snow chains to not function at all or malfunction, both of which may result in an accident. If an accident was caused by improper installation of the snow chain by the installer, the installer may be liable for damages.
WHAT DAMAGES MAY I SEEK FOR FAULTY OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED SNOW TIRES?
The compensation you may seek for a personal injury claim may differ in some states, but generally, you may seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Medical bills
Compensation for medical bills may cover the costs of being seen by a doctor, hospital stays, specialist consultation, medical procedures, medication, and therapy.
Property damage
You may be able to seek compensation for damage caused to your vehicle in the accident, including compensation for the cost of repair or the fair market value of the vehicle if repairs are not possible.
Loss of income/Loss of potential income
If you were forced to miss work as a result of your injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for your lost wages. If your injuries have left you permanently unable to return to work, you may also be able to seek compensation for your loss of future income. Compensation for loss of potential income may be influenced by your age and general health before the accident, as well as various other factors.
Non-Economic Damages
You may also be able to seek compensation for the physical and emotional pain you may have suffered as a result of your injuries. Pain and suffering compensation may often vary from case to case and will take many factors into consideration, including the severity of your injuries and how they have impacted your day-to-day life.
WHAT TO DO NEXT?
If you have recently been injured in an accident and faulty or improperly installed snow chains may have been the cause, you should immediately begin taking steps to put yourself in a position to recover from the accident, such as:
1. Seek Medical Treatment If Necessary
Anytime you are involved in an accident, it is often best to immediately seek medical attention. Some injuries may not always be immediately obvious and seeking medical care may help you identify these injuries before they get worse.
2. Consult A Personal Injury Attorney
Often, the most important step you can take is to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for your faulty snow chain accident to discuss your legal options. It may be difficult to prove liability for an accident caused by faulty or improperly installed snow chains, and an experienced lawyer may be necessary to navigate the complicated legal process.
In most accidents that occur in winter conditions, the driver is considered to be at fault if they lose control of their vehicle, which is a likely outcome if snow chains fail while driving. However, an attorney may be able to help you discover why your snow chains failed as well as the party who may be responsible. Insurance companies will likely try to pin the fault on you to avoid paying out compensation, but an attorney may be able to help you build a strong case and seek the compensation you may be entitled to.
Learn More: Why Hiring a Lawyer Will Help Your Case
3. File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
After hiring a lawyer, your attorney may begin by investigating your accident and gathering as much evidence as possible. Next, your lawyer may file a personal injury lawsuit against the party or parties who may be liable for the accident and your injuries or damages. As part of this process, your attorney may negotiate with the insurance company to seek an acceptable settlement to avoid the costs and delay of going to trial.
GET HELP FROM A CAR SNOW CHAINS LIABILITY LAWYER TODAY
At Zinda Law Group, our car accident attorneys may be able to help you with your claim for faulty or improperly installed snow chains. Our attorneys have years of experience helping our clients pursue the maximum compensation they may be entitled to after they or a loved one has been injured or killed in an automobile accident caused by faulty or improperly installed snow car chains.
Call (800) 863-5312 today for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. You will not pay anything unless we can win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
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