Patrick Troxler, a lifelong Waldorf resident and Air Force Reserve veteran, and Teneshia Troxler, a skilled trial attorney with prosecutorial experience, have guided clients through more than 130 cases. Their combined backgrounds mean you can count on strong, local legal knowledge when you need it most.
Weather Hazards and Driver Responsibility
Rain, snow, ice, and fog can all play a role in causing crashes. Wet pavement increases stopping distances, icy patches make it harder to control your vehicle, and fog reduces visibility.
It might seem like bad weather is to blame, but liability usually comes down to whether a driver acted responsibly. Maryland law expects drivers to adjust to conditions.
If someone was speeding on icy roads, following too closely in heavy rain, or driving without headlights in fog, that driver could be held responsible for negligence. Insurance companies and courts often look at whether the driver took reasonable steps to drive safely, given the conditions.
Drivers are also expected to prepare their vehicles for the season. Bald tires, worn brakes, or malfunctioning headlights can make a crash more likely and influence how liability is determined. Keeping a car in safe working condition is part of meeting the standard of care expected on Maryland roads.
Shared Fault In Poor Weather Conditions
Bad weather does not always mean one driver is completely at fault. In some crashes, more than one person may share responsibility. For example, if two cars slide on ice, but one was following too closely, both drivers’ actions may be examined. Maryland’s contributory negligence rule can make these cases more complicated.
Under this law, if you are found even slightly at fault, you may not be able to recover damages. That is why understanding how fault is divided in poor weather accidents is so important.
Call Troxler & Troxler Law Firm
Bad weather may play a role in an accident, but liability still comes down to the details. Get the answers you need by calling Troxler & Troxler Law Firm in Waldorf, MD, at 301-264-6072. Contact us today to schedule your free case review.
