This past week, Charleston experienced its greatest snowfall since 1989. It has been reported that meteorologists measured eight inches of snowfall at the Charleston International Airport. I have lived in Charleston for about fourteen years now and this is the first time I remember it snowing at all. It was certainly the most snow I’ve seen in the Charleston area since I can remember. Seeing this wonderful city covered in snow was an experience I will never forget.
With that being said, while snow can be a very enjoyable experience, it also comes with its dangers that should not be ignored. Of vast importance is the danger of driving during these conditions. Mount Pleasant alone reported more than 60 accidents during the winter storm this past week. It has also been reported that at least one pedestrian in the Charleston area was killed on the morning of January 5th after being hit by a car. The driver, seventeen year old Bryan Mejia, was charged with driving too fast for conditions. It has also been reported that a seventeen year old, Brandon Peacock, passed away over the weekend in Dorchester County after suffering injuries while being pulled on the hood of a car behind an all-terrain vehicle.
From a legal standpoint, pursing compensation for injuries that were the result of an accident in icy conditions can cause some additional legal issues. Specifically, depending on the type of accident, it is often difficult to determine what insurance might be available, if any. Moreover, insurance companies often deny claims that occurred in inclement weather, particularly the snowy and icy conditions we experienced, based on the grounds that their policy does not cover such conditions or based on the grounds that anyone on the road should have observed and known a dangerous condition was present. In legal terms, defenses such as “assumption of the risk” and “comparative negligence” are often hurtles one might have to overcome in receiving compensation from these accidents.
This isn’t to mean that if you were injured in an accident during the winter storm that you are not entitled to adequate compensation for your injuries. It simply means that you may need an experienced attorney to help with your claim. If you were involved in a car accident during the winter storm and need to speak with a auto accident attorney in Charleston, SC, please feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to see if we can help. Likewise, if you or a loved one has been injured in any other type of accident due to the snowy conditions, please feel free to contact our Charleston, SC personal injury law firm to see if we can be of any assistance. We look forward to speaking with you.