Practice Areas

ICY ROAD ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HUNTSVILLE AL

Name: Ferguson & Ferguson Attorneys at Law – Huntsville Office
Address: 303 Williams Avenue SW, Suite 321, Huntsville, AL, 35801, US
Telephone: +1-256-534-3435
Price range: Free consultation

Best Attorney Near Me

Winters are usually not very bad in Alabama. When bad weather happens in Alabama, drivers and local authorities tend to be less prepared for snow and ice than people up north. Have you been injured in an icy road accident? An Alabama icy road accident lawyer can help you determine who is to blame for a crash and can assist you in pursuing your case. Icy road conditions can lead to dangerous and even fatal car accidents. If you or your loved one were injured in an icy road accident and another driver caused the crash, we are here to help. Call 256-534-3435 to get your no-obligation, free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Some of the more common kinds of driver negligence that cause snow or ice accidents include the following:

Speeding;
Failing to use turn signals;
Failing to use headlights;
Following too close;
Failing to stop at traffic signals or signs; and
Failing to properly maintain brakes, tires, and other vehicle parts.
Tailgating
Driver who wasn’t paying adequate attention
Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Reckless driver, such as one who is changing lanes aggressively
Poorly maintained roads

Failure to clear ice and snow from the road or apply salt

Malfunction in brakes, tires, or other parts of a vehicle
Defective vehicle

What types of accidents can icy roads cause?

Our firm has been handling icy road auto accident cases in Alabama for over 25 years. We have handled every type of icy road condition case imaginable, including:

Fender benders
Multi-car pile-ups
Cars in ditches
Cars that run into guardrails and street signs
Tractor trailer jackknifes
Drivers that skid into pedestrians and bicyclists
Cars that roll down a hillside
Rear-end accidents
Cars that lose control and run into houses
Head on collisions

What Factors Contribute to Icy Road Accidents?

The AAA’s How to Go on Snow and Ice explains how to exercise caution when driving in wintry conditions. Below are some of the tactics the association recommends:

Driving slowly
Keeping your headlights on low beam
When driving behind cars in slick conditions, increase your distance from the three to four seconds normally recommended in dry conditions to eight to 10 seconds.
Avoid changing lanes on the highway because snow and ice build between lanes.
Minimize braking as much as possible on slippery hills
Avoid using any jerky steering movements
Learn how to steer when skidding

What to do if You’ve Been Involved in a Weather-Related Accident

If you have been injured in an icy road accident, you should do the following:

Immediately call for medical help if someone is injured.
Call the police.
Report the accident to your insurance agent as soon as possible.
Exchange information with the other parties involved, such as address and phone number.
If it’s a car accident, get the license plate number; make, model, and year of the vehicle; driver’s insurance information; car registration number; and driver’s license number.
Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses. Keep in mind that if it was a car accident, any passengers involved in the accident are NOT witnesses.
Take pictures of the accident, damage to the vehicle, and the area around the accident.
Collect any physical evidence that could have caused the accident.
Gather details from the accident: Draw a diagram of the accident; note the date and time; the type of weather; and the location of the accident—including any landmarks.
Do not talk to the insurance company.
Call Ferguson & Ferguson.

Weather-Related Crash Statistics

In the United States, there are over 1.5 million weather-related car accidents every year. Many of these were collisions caused by drivers in bad weather. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 24 percent of all annual crashes are weather-related.

Rain: 707,000 annual crashes
Snow and sleet: 225,000 annual crashes
Icy pavement: 190,100 annual crashes
Fog: 38,000 annual crashes
Snow or slushy pavement: 168,300 annual crashes
Wet pavement: 1,128,000 annual crashes

What Should I Do if the Roads Are Icy?

Icy roads are dangerous, and knowing how to handle them could save your life. Here are some tips for navigating icy conditions:

Slow down. If you feel your car starting to slide or fishtail, slow down even more.
Brake gently./li>
Increase your stopping and following distances.
If you start to slide, turn your wheel in the direction the rear of your car is sliding. Be careful not to turn too far and “overcorrect.”
Avoid hills.
Stay off roads.

What Damages Can I Recover in an Icy Road Accident Case?

Icy road accidents are no different than other types of car accidents. Depending on the exact circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to:

Your medical expenses
Prescription drug expenses
Physical or rehabilitative therapy
Cost of repairing your car or replacing a totaled car
Lost wages if your accident caused you to miss time from work.
Pain and suffering
Disability
Wrongful Death

Alabama Icy-Road Accident FAQs

What should I do after an icy-road accident in Alabama?

Call 911, move away from traffic if it is safe, obtain medical care, exchange driver and insurance information, identify witnesses, photograph the vehicles and roadway conditions, report the crash to your insurer, and preserve weather and travel records.

Does ice automatically excuse a driver from liability?

No. Drivers must use reasonable care under existing conditions, which may require reducing speed, increasing following distance, using lights, avoiding abrupt maneuvers, or postponing travel. Liability depends on the full circumstances.

What is black ice?

Black ice is a thin, often transparent layer of ice that can blend with the pavement and be difficult to see. It commonly forms on bridges, overpasses, shaded areas, and roads where moisture refreezes.

Why do bridges and overpasses freeze before other roads?

They are exposed to cold air above and below the roadway, allowing their surfaces to cool faster. Drivers should anticipate possible ice on bridges and overpasses even when nearby ground-level pavement appears clear.

Who may be liable for an icy-road collision?

Potentially responsible parties may include a driver who failed to adjust to conditions, a vehicle owner, employer, trucking company, maintenance provider, parts manufacturer, road contractor, property owner, or governmental entity.

How is negligence proven when weather contributed to the crash?

Evidence may include vehicle speeds, following distances, braking and steering inputs, crash-scene photographs, dash-camera video, witness statements, weather data, road-treatment records, warnings, tire condition, and electronic vehicle data.

Can speeding below the posted limit still be negligent on ice?

Yes. A posted speed limit is generally a maximum under favorable conditions. A driver may be traveling too fast for icy or low-visibility conditions even while below the posted limit.

What if a driver followed too closely on an icy road?

A driver must leave enough distance to stop safely under existing conditions. Because ice increases stopping distance and reduces control, ordinary spacing may be inadequate.

What if several vehicles were involved in the icy-road crash?

A pileup may involve multiple negligent drivers or companies. Investigators must determine the sequence of impacts, vehicle speeds, following distances, warnings, and whether later impacts caused additional injuries.

Can a trucking company be liable for an icy-weather crash?

Potentially. The investigation may examine the truck driver’s speed and decisions, company weather policies, dispatch instructions, training, vehicle maintenance, tires, braking systems, cargo, and electronic driving data.

Can poor tires or vehicle maintenance affect liability?

Yes. Worn tires, defective brakes, failed lights, or other maintenance problems may reduce control in winter conditions. A vehicle owner, employer, maintenance provider, rental company, or manufacturer may be relevant.

Can a city or state be liable for failing to treat an icy road?

Governmental liability is limited and fact-specific. A claim may involve road design, maintenance, warnings, or treatment, but immunity and special notice requirements often apply. Prompt legal review is important.

What evidence should I preserve after an icy-road accident?

Preserve photographs and video of the road, ice, signs, vehicles, tires, and damage; the crash report; witness information; dash-camera footage; medical records; repair estimates; weather reports; receipts; and insurance communications.

Should I seek medical care if I feel sore later?

Yes. Some brain, spinal, internal, and soft-tissue injuries may not be immediately apparent. Prompt medical evaluation protects your health and documents when the symptoms developed.

What compensation may be available after an icy-road crash?

Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include medical expenses, future care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, property damage, and other legally recognized losses.

What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured?

Your own or a household automobile policy may provide uninsured- or underinsured-motorist benefits. Coverage depends on the policy language, vehicles, household relationships, and compliance with notice and claim requirements.

How does Alabama contributory negligence affect an icy-road claim?

Alabama applies a strict contributory-negligence rule. An insurer may argue that the injured person’s speed, following distance, tires, or other conduct bars recovery, so a detailed investigation is essential.

Can a family pursue a wrongful-death claim after a fatal winter-weather crash?

Alabama law may allow the personal representative of the estate to bring a wrongful-death action when another party’s wrongful conduct caused the death. These claims have special procedural and damages rules.

How long do I have to file an icy-road accident lawsuit in Alabama?

Many Alabama personal injury and wrongful-death actions are subject to a two-year limitations period, but claims against governmental entities and insurance policies may have earlier requirements. Seek case-specific advice promptly.

Where does Ferguson & Ferguson handle icy-road accident cases?

The firm represents crash victims and families in Huntsville, Decatur, North Alabama, and throughout Alabama from offices at 303 Williams Avenue SW, Suite 321, Huntsville, and 211 Oak Street NE, Decatur.

Free Consultation

If you have been involved in an accident on a snowy or icy road, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by the accumulation of snow or ice, you may be able to recover significant compensation for the losses that you sustained. At Ferguson & Ferguson, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your case. Call us at 256-534-3435 or fill out the form to get your FREE consultation today.

Huntsville Office Location:
303 Williams Avenue SW
Suite 321
Huntsville, AL 35801

Decatur Office Location:
211 Oak Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601

Icy Roads Accident