Updated for 2025
Texas roads are unpredictable. From sudden thunderstorms to dense fog and even icy conditions, weather can transform a normal drive into a life-threatening situation. But when an accident happens during bad weather, many Texans ask: Who is responsible for damages?
At Francis Injury, our Dallas–Fort Worth car accident lawyers help injured victims understand how weather conditions influence liability, insurance claims, and the path to compensation.
Texas Law and Weather-Related Car Accidents
Under Texas law, drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely regardless of weather conditions. This means slowing down in rain, using headlights in fog, and avoiding dangerous maneuvers on icy roads. Failure to take these precautions can result in negligence.
Insurance companies often argue that weather—not the driver—is to blame. But Texas courts look closely at whether a driver acted reasonably for the conditions. For example, speeding during a thunderstorm or failing to maintain safe following distance may make a driver liable even if rain contributed to the crash.
How Weather Conditions Impact Liability
Rain and Hydroplaning
Rain is the most common weather hazard in Texas accidents. In 2022, 197 fatal crashes and more than 39,000 total crashes occurred on wet roads (TxDOT).
Drivers are expected to reduce speed, keep headlights on, and maintain tire tread. Failure to do so may result in negligence claims.
Fog and Reduced Visibility
Fog caused 36 fatal crashes and over 2,000 total crashes statewide in 2022. Many of these occurred in rural areas where high speeds and poor lighting compound visibility issues.
Drivers must use headlights (not high beams) and increase following distance. Collisions often lead to liability if a driver failed to adjust for conditions.
Ice and Snow
Though rare in Texas, ice and snow crashes are deadly. In 2022, sleet, hail, and snow combined for more than 2,700 crashes and at least 20 fatalities. These cases often involve highway pileups where drivers did not slow down or maintain control.
Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding
Thunderstorms can bring heavy rain, hail, and high winds. Flood-related crashes are particularly dangerous: vehicles can be swept away in just 12 inches of moving water. Texas law holds drivers accountable if they knowingly drive into flooded roadways.
High Winds and Blowing Sand
Severe crosswinds and blowing sand or snow caused over 400 crashes statewide in 2022. Liability depends on whether drivers adjusted steering and speed to maintain control.
Texas Crash Statistics by Weather Condition
Here is a breakdown of TxDOT crash data by weather type:
| Weather Condition | Fatal Crashes (2022) | Total Crashes (2022) | Fatal Crashes (2023 Rural) | Fatal Crashes (2023 Urban) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear / Cloudy | 3,697 | 508,035 | 1,785 | 1,812 |
| Rain | 197 | 39,073 | 126 | 94 |
| Fog | 36 | 2,023 | 20 | 14 |
| Sleet / Hail | 6 | 1,564 | 5 | — |
| Snow | 7 | 1,186 | 0 | 0 |
| Crosswinds | 7 | 299 | 0 | 0 |
| Blowing Sand/Snow | 3 | 170 | 2 | 0 |
Source: TxDOT 2022, TxDOT 2023
Insurance Company Tactics
Insurers often argue that “bad weather” caused the accident, not their insured driver. Adjusters may claim that fog, rain, or ice were unavoidable. But an experienced lawyer can prove that a driver should have adjusted behavior to meet conditions, holding them accountable for negligence.
Learn more in our guide on dealing with insurance companies after a car accident.
Proving Negligence in Weather-Related Accidents
- Failure to reduce speed in rain or fog
- Driving with worn tires or poor brakes
- Improper use of headlights
- Tailgating despite reduced visibility
- Driving into flooded roads
Our attorneys use evidence collection strategies such as accident reconstruction, skid mark analysis, and expert witnesses to prove negligence.
Steps to Take After a Weather-Related Accident
- Seek medical treatment immediately
- Call law enforcement and obtain a police accident report
- Gather photos and witness statements
- Do not admit fault at the scene
- Contact a Texas car accident lawyer
Free Consultation With a Texas Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a weather-related car accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
FAQ: Weather and Texas Car Accidents
Does bad weather excuse a driver from liability?
Can I sue if fog caused my accident?
Who pays my medical bills after a rain-related crash?
Does hydroplaning remove liability?
How do lawyers prove weather negligence?
Are icy road accidents always no-fault?
What if I was partly at fault?
How soon should I call a lawyer?
Conclusion
Bad weather does not absolve negligent drivers of responsibility. Whether it’s rain, fog, or ice, drivers must take extra precautions. If you’ve been injured in a weather-related accident in Texas, contact Francis Injury today for a free consultation. Our team has decades of experience winning complex accident cases across Texas.
