An accident on Interstate 20 early Easter morning left one dead and another injured in DeKalb County. The accident occurred at about 3:30 Sunday morning near Wesley Chapel Road. Responding officers discovered two people seriously injured at the scene. Both were transported to an area hospital, where one died. Investigators have not yet said if weather was a factor in the accident, in spite of a dense fog that was reportedly in the area at the time.
In Georgia, inclement weather generally does not prevent an individual from being liable for an accident. State statute 40-6-180 notes that drivers should not operate their vehicle at a speed greater than what is reasonable and prudent when considering the conditions of the road. The onus is on the driver to evaluate the potential hazards of driving in inclement weather, such as the risk of causing an accident due to impaired visibility as a result of fog. Dense fog impacts the distance a driver is able to see in front of or around the vehicle. This generally results in impacts such as reduced speed, and a delay in travel time.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, a ten-year study of traffic accidents revealed that weather conditions are a factor in about 21 percent of all traffic crashes, and account for 19 percent of traffic crash-related injuries, and 16 percent of crash fatalities. More than 450 individuals were killed during the study period in crashes where fog was a factor, and nearly 9,000 were injured.
If you have been injured as a result of someone else driving carelessly or recklessly in inclement weather conditions, the experienced legal team at Cambre & Associates can help you understand the process of seeking compensation for the expenses and quality-of-life impacts you have incurred as a result. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
