{"id":6287,"date":"2023-01-05T06:22:14","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T06:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/in-bad-weather-whos-at-fault-in-a-car-accident-in-mississauga\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T08:17:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T08:17:32","slug":"in-bad-weather-whos-at-fault-in-a-car-accident-in-mississauga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/in-bad-weather-whos-at-fault-in-a-car-accident-in-mississauga\/","title":{"rendered":"In Bad Weather, Who&#8217;s At Fault In A Car Accident In Mississauga"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driving in bad weather is no joke. According to a report from Aviva Insurance, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newswire.ca\/news-releases\/aviva-data-shows-47-more-auto-insurance-claims-during-winter-months-547045232.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over 40%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more <a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/car-accident-insurance-claims-understanding-your-rights-to-maximize-your-settlement\/\">insurance claims<\/a> are made in Ontario in the winter, serving as a testament to the hazards of driving during inclement weather.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canadians are too familiar with driving on icy roads or in poor visibility, and we know how much harder it can be to stay in control when driving on black ice. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, it is natural to want to blame the slick roads if you get in an accident. But will your insurance accept bad weather as an excuse for an at-fault accident?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we\u2019ll go over who is at fault in a bad weather <a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/personal-injury\/car-accidents\/\">car accident in Mississauga<\/a>, what you can do to protect yourself, and when to call a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/personal-injury\/car-accidents\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">car accident lawyer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is Considered a Weather-Related Car Accident\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Particularly in the winter, the weather can create dangerous driving conditions, like slippery roads and poor visibility, making it more difficult to handle your vehicle. The most common causes of weather-related driving hazards are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Snow and whiteout conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ice, especially black ice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fog<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rain and flooding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wind<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In these harsh conditions, it\u2019s not hard to imagine how easy it would be to lose control and crash your car. Serious car accidents are common in bad weather, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tc.canada.ca\/en\/road-transportation\/statistics-data\/canadian-motor-vehicle-traffic-collision-statistics-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about 20%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of accidents resulting in serious injury having an environmental factor contributing to the cause. Naturally, you would want to blame the ice if you slide into a parked car in January, but it\u2019s not so simple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who is At Fault in a Bad Weather Accident in Ontario?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, the driver is usually still considered at fault for an accident, even in the worst winter storm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After an accident, fault is determined by the insurer, using Ontario\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/laws\/regulation\/900668\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance Act Fault Determination Rules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The act outlines over 40 scenarios that are used to assign fault to each party involved as anywhere from 0% to 100% at fault.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The act makes it clear that the degree of fault is determined without reference to the weather conditions, visibility, or road conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This might seem unfair, but the idea is that drivers are required to adjust their driving behaviour to suit the conditions that they are driving in. So, for example, if the roads are slippery, you are expected to drive slowly and increase braking distance. Failure to adjust your driving or prepare your vehicle for bad weather is still considered <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">negligence<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> according to Ontario law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is Meant by \u2018Negligence\u2019 in Bad Weather Accidents?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negligence means that the at-fault party was acting in a way that violated their duty of care while operating a motor vehicle. It is required that drivers are fully engaged, prepared, and capable of keeping everyone safe on the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can be deemed negligent for both your driving behaviour and the condition of your vehicle at the time of the accident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some behaviours that can be deemed negligent when driving in bad weather include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not adjusting your speed to suit the <a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/vehicle-accidents-due-to-road-conditions-is-the-city-at-fault\/\">road conditions<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Failing to adjust your braking habits<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diving distracted<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accelerating quickly when taking turns\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not leaving enough distance between cars<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some examples of when the condition of your vehicle can be deemed negligent in bad weather include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driving without winter tires or with worn-out tires<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Failing to replace a burnt-out headlight, tail light, or brake light<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driving with inadequate windshield wipers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driving with poor brakes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will Your Insurance Cover the Damages?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether your insurance will cover the damages to your vehicle will depend on what coverages you have on your policy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ontario has no-fault insurance, which means that your insurer will pay out damages covered by your policy regardless of who is at fault. If you only have the minimum required insurance, that does not include damage to your vehicle when you are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is what Ontario\u2019s mandatory insurance includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Third-party liability coverage of at least $200,000:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers damage to other parties when you are at fault<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Statutory accident benefits coverage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Covers expenses that you incur if you are injured regardless of fault<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Direct compensation &#8211; property damage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Covers damage to your property when another party is at-fault<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Uninsured automobile coverage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This covers you if you are injured or your property is damaged by an <a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/car-accidents-involving-uninsured-or-underinsured-drivers\/\">uninsured driver<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To cover damage to your property if you are at fault for an accident, you need to add <\/span><b>collision coverage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to your policy. This will pay for damages to your property caused by a collision with another object. Note that it will not cover damages from, say a tree falling on your car in a windstorm. For that, you would need to add comprehensive coverage as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to Call a Car Accident Lawyer\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t agree with your insurance company&#8217;s fault decision, or if you believe that another party was responsible for the accident, then it might be time to reach out to a car accident lawyer. The other party doesn\u2019t have to be another driver. It could also be a pedestrian, a car manufacturer, or even the city.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why it is so important not to admit fault or apologize <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/7-things-to-do-after-a-car-accident-in-ontario\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">after a car accident<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as it hurts any argument down the line. If you think you have a case to challenge your insurer\u2019s decision or file a claim against another party, it is important to gather as much evidence as you can and to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zayouna Law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a <a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/personal-injury\/car-accidents\/\">car accident lawyer in Mississauga<\/a>. Our team of professional lawyers can help you understand your options for challenging an insurance decision, filing a claim against another driver, filing for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/disability\/long-term\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long-term disability<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and much more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/contact\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact Zayouna Law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to book a free consultation to learn about your rights and options following a car accident. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Driving in bad weather is no joke. According to a report from Aviva Insurance, over 40% more insurance claims are made in Ontario in the winter, serving as a testament to the hazards of driving during inclement weather.\u00a0 Canadians are too familiar with driving on icy roads or in poor visibility, and we know how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6287"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6287\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}