When rain, fog, or ice causes a serious vehicle collision, the days that follow can be confusing. You may be trying to deal with medical treatment, car repairs, and insurance calls.
Car accidents involving bad weather in Cordova can be overwhelming, but speaking with an attorney can give you clarity about what to do next. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can investigate the incident, gather relevant records, and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. Our private law firm provides focused guidance, making it easier to navigate deadlines and complex regulations. While our car accident lawyers cannot guarantee specific results, careful legal support can help you protect your rights and make informed decisions about your recovery.
How Does Weather Affect Liability for Auto Collisions?
Storms and icy roads are often blamed for accidents, but the law requires drivers to adjust to the conditions. The state requires motorists to exercise due care and drive at a safe speed, as outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-136. A person who fails to slow down for heavy rain or loses control on slick pavement may be considered negligent.
The state also follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if a person is found 50 percent or more responsible for the crash, they cannot recover compensation. If their share of fault is less than that, compensation is reduced by the percentage of responsibility. Courts frequently rely on this rule, guided in part by the decision in McIntyre v. Balentine.
After weather-related car accidents in Cordova, questions may arise about whether a driver left too little room in fog, braked too late on wet pavement, or ignored warnings about black ice. If a tractor-trailer is involved, federal rules impose an even higher duty of caution. Under 49 C.F.R. § 392.14, commercial drivers must take extreme caution in hazardous conditions, including slowing significantly or stopping altogether.
Gathering Evidence and Understanding Potential Compensation
The strength of a claim often depends on the evidence collected soon after the collision. When working on claims involving a severe weather car crash, our Cordova attorneys move quickly to secure dashcam recordings, traffic camera footage, and event data recorder downloads before they disappear. Weather service reports, pavement temperature records, and police investigations can also add important context. If a public roadway defect contributed to the crash, claims against government entities fall under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, which carries strict requirements and limits.
Because most personal injury suits must be filed within one year under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, delays can put recovery at risk. Helpful materials in these cases may include:
- Photographs of the crash scene and roadway conditions
- National Weather Service reports on visibility and precipitation
- Witness statements and 911 transcripts
- Medical records linking injuries to the collision
- Documentation of lost income and expected future costs
Compensation may include the cost of medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and reduced earning potential. Victims may also be able to recover compensation for pain or loss of quality of life. After storm-related collisions, David and Elissa often consult experts who can explain how weather can combine with driver choices to cause an injury.
Call Us if Your Cordova Car Wreck Involved Bad Weather
If you were hurt in a crash during rain, fog, or ice, there is no need to navigate the legal process on your own. A conversation with an attorney can help you understand what evidence matters, how state law applies, and what options are available.
The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs is available to discuss your situation, explain potential strategies, and offer practical guidance. We know how to deal with the aftermath of car accidents involving bad weather in Cordova. Contact us today and let us help protect your rights.
