March 19, 2012: It’s been raining, and last night it got below freezing. So it should come as no surprise that the roads are icy this morning. But apparently it has come as a surprise to some, as we already (as of 8 a.m.) have multiple reports of spin-out accidents this morning: Two injured in I-5 car accident near Fife; another spin-out near Tiger summit on SR18; several on I-5 in south Everett, and undoubtedly dozens more around the sound.
Black ice is deadly, folks! Keeping that in mind when we have cold temperatures could keep you out of an accident. Allow yourself more time, and leave more space between you and the next car. Expect the unexpected. Just because black ice catches us by surprise doesn’t relieve us from liability if we spin out and cause a car accident. The law recognizes situations where a “sudden, unexpected emergency” leads to an accident, but those situations are rare. Such as a heart attack while driving, or a rogue tire bouncing toward your windshield. Black ice is reasonably foreseeable, and won’t get you off the hook.
If you’ve been in an accident caused by someone else who spun out on black ice, it won’t get them off the hook, either. Their insurance will have to pay. And a good car accident lawyer can help you get the best resolution to your personal injury claim. Most give a free consultation, so you have nothing to lose by consulting a lawyer about your case.
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