South Carolina Legal Blog

The Law Offices of Cezar McKnight is dedicated to fighting for those who need legal help in Kingstree, South Carolina. I have represented thousands of people and recovered millions of dollars through trial and settlement. I specialize in Car and Truck Accidents, Criminal Defense, and Wrongful Death cases. Get in touch with me today to learn more about how I can help.

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Who is Liable When Bad Weather Causes an Accident?

When storms roll in, roads across South Carolina become far more dangerous. Rain, fog, and even the occasional snowfall can quickly turn routine drives into chaotic scenes. However, even when the weather plays a role, someone can still be held accountable because bad weather doesn’t mean no one is at fault for a crash.

Don’t assume your case is hopeless if you’ve been injured in a crash during poor weather. In many situations, another driver, a business, or a government entity can still be liable for the accident. At the Law Office of Cezar McKnight, our Kingstree, SC, car accident attorney can help you uncover the truth behind weather-related accidents and fight to get you compensated fairly.

Can Drivers Be at Fault in Bad Weather Accidents?

Yes. SC law requires every driver to adjust their behavior based on road and weather conditions. This means slowing down in the rain, leaving more space between vehicles, using headlights properly, and avoiding aggressive driving. If someone fails to do that, they can still be held responsible, even if the weather contributed to the crash.

In fact, the FHA notes that over 21% of traffic crashes in the U.S. are weather-related, and most involve rain, wet pavement, or reduced visibility. These aren’t just acts of God. Many involve driver errors, and when those errors cause injuries, the at-fault driver can and should be held liable.

In some cases, another driver may not be the only one at fault. Sometimes, liability extends beyond the driver. For instance:

  • A trucking company that sent out a driver despite flood warnings
  • A mechanic who failed to fix worn brakes or tires before a storm
  • A property owner who didn’t treat icy pavement in a parking lot
  • A city or county that didn’t fix drainage issues that made a road unsafe

Liability in these cases isn’t always obvious, especially when weather gives insurance providers something to hide behind. With the right investigation, your Kingstree, SC, car accident lawyer can connect the dots by working with crash reconstruction experts, analyzing black box data, and requesting traffic camera footage to get the facts.

Bad weather gives insurers ample room to argue. They may claim the crash was unavoidable or that you caused it by overreacting. These crashes also create practical issues since evidence gets washed away, witnesses are hard to find, and sometimes police reports just blame bad weather without digging deeper.

However, knowing a road is dangerous doesn’t mean drivers act responsibly on it. That’s where accountability comes in. When weather complicates a crash, your side of the story needs to be backed by more than just words. Your Kingstree, SC, car accident attorney can step in quickly to preserve evidence, talk to witnesses, and work with experts. They’ll build a case that shows the driver, company, or other potentially liable parties had options and failed to act responsibly.

Even in what looks like a simple rain-related crash, the insurer may lowball your claim or try to stall until you’re desperate enough to settle. Your lawyer will not let that happen. They will negotiate aggressively and will be prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes.

Consult With Our Experienced Kingstree, SC, Car Accident Attorney

If you were hurt in a crash during bad weather, reach the Law Office of Cezar McKnight at 843-374-4529 or online to arrange your free consultation.