Atlanta Poor Weather Accidents Lawyer

Poor weather is one of the leading causes of car accidents, not just in Georgia, but across the United States.  According to a 10-year study conducted by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), nearly 22 percent of crashes in total involve hazardous weather conditions to some degree.  Weather-related accidents can have severe consequences.  In the same study, DOT found that roughly 19 percent of crash injuries and 16 percent of crash fatalities involved adverse weather conditions.

Have you been injured in a weather-related accident in Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia?  Contact Ponton Law at (404) 902-3154 to speak with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Adverse weather conditions in Atlanta include, but are not limited, to:

• Rain
• High wind
• Fog
• Mud
• Flooding
• Snow/Ice/Slush (very rare, of course!)

Adverse weather conditions can have an enormous effect on road safety.  Not only are drivers generally more tense during poor weather conditions, but road closures, obstruction, visibility problems, slick pavement, and other issues can heighten the risk of injury — common sense dictates that drivers will make mistakes more frequently in poor weather.

The Concept of Negligence in Dealing With Weather-Related Issues

Drivers are expected to adapt to the conditions of the road.  When there are poor weather conditions that increase the risk of a car accident (i.e., slick pavement due to a downpour of rain, or poor visibility due to fog), then drivers should modify their behavior accordingly so as to maintain control over their vehicle.  For example, if a driver fails to slow down adequately in response to adverse weather conditions, and this leads to a serious collision, then the driver will likely be deemed negligent and potentially liable for any subsequent injuries.

Drivers are not the only potentially liable party, however.  There are many entities — both public and private — who must account for adverse weather conditions and implement road closures or otherwise warn drivers of the potential dangers.  For example, if heavy rain has led to road flooding in some parts of Atlanta, the City must warn drivers (with signage or an announcement) to avoid the flooded streets, or must close those roads to prohibit driver access altogether.

Contact a Qualified Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Today

Here at Ponton Law, we believe in results-oriented client advocacy.  With just under a decade of personal injury litigation experience (including car accident lawsuits), Attorney James Ponton has already earned four Georgia Rising Star awards — a distinction awarded to less than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state — and has built up a lengthy track record of successful verdicts and settlements.  For example, in one 2010 accident case, we secured an $850,000 verdict for our client.  Obtaining full and fair compensation is critical to helping injured victims put their life back together.

If you have suffered an injured in an accident that occurred during poor weather conditions, you may be entitled to compensation.  To setup a free consultation with a skilled car accident attorney, call Ponton Law at (404) 902-3154 today.