Can I Be Sued If Snow From My Car Hits Another Car in Colorado?
If you’ve done any winter driving in Colorado, chances are you’ve seen motorists zipping along with snow on their cars. But is it legal to drive with snow flying off your car? Could someone sue you for it? Here’s what you need to know from the car accident attorneys at Earl & Earl, PLLC.
Snow-Related Car Accidents in Colorado
Colorado has some of the harshest winter weather in the U.S., leading to icy and snow-packed roads — and car accidents. March is the snowiest month of the year in the Centennial State, which sees hundreds of inches of snow annually. This weather creates extreme winter driving conditions, even in the spring months when temperatures rise above freezing. Both residents and tourists are at risk of being involved in serious accidents with snow on the ground. In 2022, winter weather caused a 100-car crash in Denver during its first snowfall of the year. Highway closures are common as motorists contend with black ice, wintry mixes, and limited visibility during snowstorms.
What If Snow From My Car Hits Another Vehicle in Colorado?
You may wonder, “Is it legal to drive with snow on your car in Colorado?” You won’t face criminal charges if snow blows off your car and onto another vehicle, but you could be liable if fallen snow causes an accident that injures someone else. You should always clear as much snow off your car as possible before you drive as a matter of courtesy and safety.
Clear all snow from your headlights, brake lights, license plates, mirrors, and windows. But it’s most important to make sure your windshield is snow-free. If a Colorado police officer sees you driving with snow covering your windshield, you could get a $35 ticket for view obstruction. Don’t forget to clear your tailpipe. If you get stranded in a snowstorm, a blocked tailpipe can send carbon monoxide into the car’s cabin, poisoning you and your passengers.
Compensation After a Car Accident Caused by Snow
Motorists who fail to account for snowy conditions can be liable for any accidents they cause. If you suffered injuries in a car accident due to snow, you could recover compensation for:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Repair or replacement costs for property damage
What Should I Do Immediately After a Snow-Related Car Accident?
The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a snow-related automobile accident can significantly affect your right to recover money. You should:
- Check yourself and others for injuries.
- Call 911, so paramedics and police respond to the accident scene.
- Move your vehicle to a safe place to avoid a secondary crash if possible.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved, including names, phone numbers, insurance details, and vehicle information.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, environmental conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Talk to witnesses and get their contact details.
- Check your insurance policy to learn the deadline for notifying them of the crash.
- Talk to a Colorado car accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights to compensation.
Hurt in a Colorado Snow-Related Vehicle Accident? Our Colorado Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you get hurt in a snow-related car accident in Colorado, the knowledgeable injury lawyers at Earl & Earl, PLLC, can help you demand compensation from every responsible party. Contact us now for a free consultation with a Colorado car accident lawyer.