A recent study published by the American Automobile Association (AAA) confirmed the long-held common sense idea that driving in inclement weather can be dangerous. The study identified bad weather as a contributing factor in more than 1.1 million U.S. car accidents per year, resulting in approximately 425,000 injuries and more than 5,000 deaths each year. The AAA study—which examined data for crashes that occurred between 2010 and 2014—found winter snow and sleet to be particularly dangerous, contributing to approximately 500,000 accidents and more than 2,000 fatalities each winter. Regardless of the season, AAA is urging motorists to exercise caution and be prepared when driving in bad weather conditions.
Winter Weather Accident Statistics
According to the AAA study, nearly half—46 percent—of all bad weather crashes occur in the wintertime, due to conditions such as rain, snow, sleet, and fog. Accidents were most likely to happen:
- During the overnight hours from 6:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. This is due to frozen roads and severely limited visibility.
- During rainy weather, which was a contributing factor in the largest number of bad weather crashes.
- Fatal accidents were more likely to happen during the first snowfall of the year, when drivers have fallen out of practice of driving in snowy, icy conditions
Were You Injured in an Accident?
Even the most cautious drivers and the best bad weather driving strategies can't prevent all car accidents. If you were injured in a car accident that occurred during inclement weather—perhaps due to another driver's negligence or bad driving behavior—you may be facing a difficult recovery period and a great deal of unexpected medical debt. Contact the experienced personal injury professionals with Steinberg Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case to determine if you're able to pursue compensation for damages such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We're eager to answer any questions you may have and can also offer you a free copy of our book, The Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case to provide you with additional information.
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