Raleigh Weather Condition Crash Report
The North Carolina Crash Report Form DMV-349, Sections 4 and 5 focus on the weather condition at the time of the car crash. A separate Section 6 specifies whether weather contributed to the crash.
Weather conditions and whether they contributed to the crash can be important in determining liability following a crash. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can review your Raleigh weather condition crash report – section 4-5, 6 to help you understand how it may affect your claim.
Possible Weather Conditions That May Impact a Crash
This section describes the weather at the time of the crash. It allows for up to two conditions at the time of the crash. They can include:
- Clear
- Cloudy
- Rain
- Snow
- Fog, smog, smoke
- Sleet, hail, freezing rain/drizzle
- Severe crosswinds
- Blowing sand, dirt, snow
- Other*
Weather Contributed to the Crash
This section helps determine the cause of the crash and whether it was caused by any adverse weather conditions. This can help determine liability. The options are:
- Yes
- No
- Unknown
Serious accidents are likely to occur when driving in poor conditions. The decreased visibility and lower grip of the vehicle can cause cars to crash into one another. Anyone who was involved in a car accident in bad weather due to another’s fault should speak to a well-versed car accident lawyer who can help them understand how weather affects liability.
Adverse Conditions that can Cause Car Accidents
Weather conditions can lead to poor visibility, particularly when there are severe conditions such as a dense fog, pouring rain, or a heavy snowstorm. When this happens, the driver’s vision can decline to only a few meters ahead making it almost impossible to see the road. The situation worsens if more than one of these conditions occurs together. High winds and extremely wet roads are some other poor road conditions that can lead to accidents. Therefore, it is extremely important to drive safely in inclement weather.
It is also important because a driver who was not driving safely for the weather conditions and causes an accident could still be considered negligent. Even if the weather conditions contributed to a crash, a driver could still be liable if they were driving too fast for the conditions. Therefore, it is always important to not only pay attention to the posted speed limit but also to any weather conditions that could cause an accident. If someone caused an accident because they were not paying attention to weather conditions, they can be held liable.
How a Raleigh Car Crash Lawyer Could Help You Understand a Weather Condition Crash Report
Even when bad weather causes an accident, a driver can still be liable. If someone was not driving safely for the conditions of the road and caused an accident, they are still negligent.
For help understanding your Raleigh weather condition crash report – section 4-5, 6, contact an experienced North Carolina car accident lawyer. Call today to set up a free consultation.
