California drivers already face plenty of challenges whenever they merge onto local freeways and boulevards. Careless drivers and traffic jams make trips stressful enough, but fog can add a dangerous element to any commute or family outing.
Visibility is something motorists definitely need to be able to drive safely. Fog can keep drivers from seeing traffic lights and the cars around them. And unfortunately, drivers don’t always slow down like they should when the weather gets bad.
Devastating fog-related collisions can occur and injured victims need to know they’ll be supported during recovery. A California Fog Accident Attorney fights to get these victims the compensation they need to pay for a complete recovery.
Contact a California Fog Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Don’t let another driver’s insurance company tell you its policyholder is not to blame for a car accident because it was a foggy day. Fog usually won’t protect a careless driver from liability for your hardships after a crash.
Schedule a free consultation with Maison Law’s California Car Accident Lawyers to find out how to hold a guilty driver fully responsible for your damages. It’s a case review that comes with no obligation to you.
It’s a no-risk way to learn of the tactics insurance companies will use to reject your fog-relate car accident claim or to convince you to accept less than you need for recovery. If you decide Maison Law can get more for your injury claim, you won’t need any upfront money. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
Fog Accident Dangers in California
San Francisco is well known for its foggy mornings, but in fact, fog can create hazards for drivers across California. Los Angeles commuters deal with fog quite regularly as marine fog rolls in from the ocean.
Areas that are usually dry like the Central Valley can get dangerously thick fog when “bomb cyclone” storms and unexpected rains move across the state. The United States Geological Survey finds that places like Fresno get thick “Tule Fog” during the winter when moisture in the ground cools rapidly at night.
The regions along the Pacific Ocean in places like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz Counties can develop fog at any time of the year. Fog is constantly a traffic hazard along the Pacific Coast Highway and Highway 101.
In 2021, Los Angeles recorded 30 fog-related accidents that involved injuries. San Diego recorded 25 fog accidents for the year. Fresno documented 11 fog accidents. Surprisingly, San Francisco only reported 5 accidents due to foggy conditions. Santa Barbara County, which deals with foggy coastal roads, and foggy mountain passes, saw 22 accidents with injuries attributed to fog.
It’s important to remind drivers to slow down for the sake of those who become even harder to spot in heavy fog. This includes motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Ten of L.A.’s foggy weather accidents in 2021 involved riders and those on foot.
Nationally, The Federal Highway Administration finds that on average over 38,700 vehicle crashes occur in fog annually. Over 600 victims are tragically killed and more than 16,300 people are injured in these crashes.
California Fog and Liability in Accidents
Driving in foggy weather can not only limit visibility, but it can also cause drivers to experience optical illusions. This results in some drivers speeding up instead of slowing down because they can’t judge their speeds by the passing landmarks they can no longer see. Drivers must monitor their speedometers closely.
Speed is an important factor in any foggy situation on a highway or street. It plays a role in who is ultimately responsible for the damage and injuries caused in an accident. Motorists are required to slow down when driving in bad weather like fog or ice. They must travel at speeds “safe for conditions.”
Drivers should slow down to speeds that would allow them to avoid hitting another vehicle in any circumstance. This could mean they must slow down to ten or even five miles an hour when visibility is down to just a few feet.
When drivers don’t slow down appropriately and cause a crash, they can be cited in an accident even when the fog was a contributing factor. This means an at-fault driver’s car insurance provider would still be liable for an injured victim’s medical bills, lost paychecks at work, and car repairs.
Insurance adjusters may try to blame an accident on fog, but a skilled California Car Accident Lawyer will present strong evidence that their driver failed to slow down to safe speeds. It’s an important victory that allows injured clients to secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
What to Do After a Fog-Related California Car Accident
Insurance companies will use just about any excuse to deny you the compensation you’ll need to recover physically and financially after a fog-related car crash.
Fortunately, there will be a lot of strong evidence to be found right there on the scene of your accident. If you are left strong enough, and it’s safe, you should try to gather details at the scene of your accident that will help you secure a fair injury settlement check.
- Turn on your hazard lights (flashers) and try to get off the road if possible so you aren’t hit again.
- Call 911. Get checked out by EMTs and go to the hospital if your injuries are serious enough. Tell the police or the California Highway Patrol if you saw the at-fault driver going too fast or acting recklessly before the crash.
- Get photos. Make sure to show the foggy conditions in your photos. Show the damage to the vehicles involved. Don’t get out of your car unless the scene is secure and the fog has lifted. Get photos of any visible injuries you have.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Don’t say “I’m fine” or “my bad” to the other drivers involved. An insurance company may claim these comments mean you were never injured or that you admitted fault. These statements can be twisted by insurance companies who are looking for an excuse to reject your injury claim.
- See your doctor. In the shock of what’s happened, the pain of any injury may not be noticeable at first. An injury makes its presence known the next day. Get any new pain checked out by your physician. An x-ray may show a hairline fracture you didn’t know you had. Also, follow your doctor’s advice when it comes to treatment, seeing specialists, and going to physical therapy.
Contact a California Fog Accident Lawyer
After a serious traffic accident involving foggy conditions, contact a California Car Accident Lawyer. Insurance companies aren’t required to tell you about every benefit available to you and your family and they won’t make it easy to earn fair compensation. You’ll need to demand support for all hospital bills, the time you are missing at work, and the physical and emotional pain you suffer through.
Take advantage of a free case consultation from Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. It’s a no-risk way to find out how to avoid the pitfalls of dealing with car insurance companies, especially after an accident that occurred on a foggy day.
