Motor Vehicle Accidents in Winter Weather

The Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Statistics show that about 25% of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States occur in snowy or icy weather, as motorists experience difficulties controlling their vehicles or fail to properly clear their vehicles of snow and ice. Because of those concerns, New Jersey has enacted specific laws regarding winter driving. If you violate the law and are in a crash, you may compromise your rights to compensation for your injuries.

The Requirement that You Remove Snow and Ice from Your Windshield

Under New Jersey law, you cannot operate a motor vehicle on the road if you have failed to clear the windshield of any accumulation of snow or ice. If a police officer observes you driving with your view impaired by ice or snow, you can be stopped and issued a traffic citation. The fines for driving with a view impaired by snow or ice range from $25 to $1,000, and apply to all types of motor vehicle operators, including commercial truck drivers.

Negligence in Winter Driving

Under the basic legal principle of negligence, all persons are required to use reasonable care in all actions, including driving a car. What qualifies as reasonable depends, in part, on the circumstances. Accordingly, when there’s an accumulation of ice or snow on the roads, most courts of law will agree that it’s reasonable to:

• Make certain all windows are snow and ice-free, and that your heater/defroster operate properly
• Operate your vehicle at lowers speeds
• Ensure that your tires have adequate tread to travel through the snow and ice and to stop in a timely manner
• Avoid any distractions, including cell phones or handheld devices

Contact Attorney Howard D. Popper

To learn your options after suffering an injury in a commercial truck accident, contact our office online or call attorney Popper at 973-993-8787. We have offices in Morristown and Newton, but will come to your home or the hospital, if necessary. There is no charge for your first consultation.

We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency basis. You won’t be charged any legal fees unless attorney Popper recovers compensation for your losses.