How Omaha’s Summer Storms Cause Accidents

By Jason Bottlinger on July 1, 2022

Residents of Omaha will all agree that it is a fantastic place to live. Being the largest city in the state means there is something for everyone here. Unfortunately, no place is perfect, and one of the downsides of living in Omaha is that it often rains during the summer months. This means the city is susceptible to summer storms.

Summer storms greatly increase the chances of car accidents on the road, as they create less than desirable driving conditions. If you find yourself in a car accident as a result of a summer storm, you must seek legal advice.

Calling Bottlinger Law L.L.C. at (402) 505-8234 will provide you with an experienced Omaha auto accident attorney who understands the complexities of a weather-related crash.

Omaha’s Summer Storms

Summer storms are no laughing matter as they can often produce some severe weather effects. Summer storms often mean high levels of wind and rain, which can be very hazardous for drivers.

Rain is a driver’s worst enemy, as it creates slippery road conditions that make driving a lot more difficult. Driving on wet, slippery surfaces can decrease the effectiveness of your car’s braking system, causing you to skid further than anticipated, and making you more likely to collide with the car ahead.

High levels of rain can induce a lower level of visibility on the road, which inhibits you from being fully aware of your surroundings and may lead to a crash.

Summer storms also often mean high wind levels, which can produce obstructions on the road, whether it be felled trees or fallen power lines. Unexpected obstructions on the road can take drivers by surprise and often lead to crashes.

How is Liability Determined After a Car Accident?

If you find yourself in an accident that was caused or affected by bad weather, you might be wondering how the fault is determined. This is unique to each situation.

Drivers must drive to the conditions around them, including during summer storms If they do not, and a crash ensues, they might be liable for the accident. In a multi-vehicle collision, the other driver may be deemed liable for the crash if they were not driving according to the summer storm conditions. This could mean anything from not reducing their speed, to driving without working headlights or windshield wipers.

However, drivers are not the only parties who may be found liable for accidents caused by poor weather.

If bad weather created an obstruction on the road, such as a fallen streetlight, powerline, or tree, and this was the cause of your crash, the landowner of the site in which the obstacle previously stood could be liable. It is their duty to notice whether elements of their property may be more susceptible to poor weather. They must ensure the proper measures are taken to prevent it from affecting drivers on the road.

The government may also be liable for a crash caused by bad weather. The City of Omaha may be found liable if it is found that the roads were poorly designed, making it impossible to drive safely during a summer storm.

What to do if you’ve been hurt in a summer storm accident

If you’ve been hurt in a summer storm accident, the first step is to call the police. This is so that any evidence that may help your case can be properly collected and stored.

It is also important that you seek quality legal advice to help you proceed.

Here at Bottlinger Law L.L.C., our experienced attorneys recognize the importance of making sure that the correct person is held liable for a vehicle crash.

If you’ve been injured in a summer storm collision, contact us today at (402) 505-8234 to schedule a consultation with a compassionate and understanding attorney.