Car Accidents on Slippery Roads: Who is at Fault?

Icy highways, slushy intersections, and rain-slicked streets, Washington drivers know how quickly weather can turn a routine drive into a dangerous one. When slippery road conditions lead to an accident, it’s natural to wonder: who’s really at fault?

At Gilbert Law Firm, we work with clients in Spokane and across Washington state who were injured in weather-related crashes. Slippery roads may be a fact of life here, but that doesn’t mean drivers are off the hook when accidents happen. If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by slick conditions, knowing how fault is determined can make a major difference in your ability to recover compensation.

This blog breaks down how liability works in Washington car accidents caused by wet, icy, or otherwise slippery roads, plus what you can do if an insurance company tries to avoid responsibility.

It’s easy to point fingers at the weather after a crash. But in most cases, it’s not just the rain, ice, or snow that caused the accident—it’s how someone reacted to it.

Drivers still have a responsibility to:

• Adjust their speed to road conditions
  
• Maintain a safe following distance
  
• Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns
  
• Ensure their tires, brakes, and wipers are in good shape

Failing to do any of the above could be considered negligent driving, even if the roads were slick.

Accidents on slippery roads don’t always look the same. The specific situation can influence who’s at fault. Some typical crash scenarios include:

Hitting another car from behind, especially in snow or rain, often points to tailgating or not slowing down in time.

When cars lose control and spin or slide into others, investigators may need to look at speed, driver reactions, and the condition of the road.

Slipping through a red light or into a crosswalk could indicate a failure to brake properly in hazardous conditions.

In any of these cases, fault may fall entirely on one driver or be shared between multiple parties under Washington’s comparative negligence rules.

It’s not always another driver who’s at fault. Sometimes, poor road maintenance or even defective equipment plays a role in crashes on slick roads.

Potentially liable parties might include:

• City or county governments for failing to salt icy roads or fix drainage issues
  
• Property owners, if the crash occurred on poorly maintained private roads
  
• Manufacturers in rare cases involving brake or tire failures

This is why it’s critical to have an experienced Spokane car accident attorney investigate what really caused the crash.

In Washington, fault affects how much compensation you can receive. Under comparative negligence laws, your percentage of fault reduces your financial recovery. So if you’re found to be 20% at fault, your compensation is reduced by that amount.

This makes it especially important to work with a legal team who can clearly show:

• Who was primarily responsible
  
• What evidence supports your claim
  

How the crash has impacted your health, work, and daily life

Insurance companies are quick to label weather-related crashes as “no-fault” or unavoidable. But that’s not always accurate.

Insurers may try to:

• Blame the weather to avoid paying
  
• Offer low settlements that don’t reflect your losses
• Use your statements against you during the claim process

Having a legal advocate on your side can help push back against these tactics and ensure your side of the story is heard.

If you’ve been in an accident on icy or wet roads in Spokane or elsewhere in Washington, take these steps:

• Call 911 and report the accident
• Get medical care, even if you feel okay at first
• Document the scene—take pictures of road conditions, damage, and weather
• Exchange information with other drivers
  
• Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers before talking to a lawyer

These steps can help protect your rights and strengthen your case.

Slippery road accidents are complicated, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Gilbert Law Firm, we understand the unique weather and road challenges Washington drivers face. We’re here to help you get the answers, support, and compensation you deserve after a crash.

Call (509) 321-0750 or schedule a consultation online to talk about your case.