Black Ice
Black ice refers to a patch of ice on a road that essentially transparent. “Black” refers to asphalt or dark pavement that can be seen through the ice. It forms when rain, mist, or fog has frozen very slowly on the pavement, allowing all the droplets to run together. Ice usually looks opaque due to air pockets that frozen in place. When black ice occurs, however, the surface has been completely coated by an even layer of moisture, and the air bubbles have had enough time to escape.
The transparency makes black ice very difficult to detect. For this reason, drivers often do not see the ice at all, or in time to react appropriately. Black ice facilitates many winter accidents. It is particularly dangerous at temperatures below 0° F, when deicing salts lose their effectiveness. Knowing where black ice is likely to form can help drivers be prepared and avoid accidents:
- Bridges
- Overpasses
- High altitudes
- Rock surfaces
- Roads that do not receive much direct sunlight
- Infrequently traveled roads
Both pedestrian and auto accidents involving black ice can be very complicated. It may be possible to seek financial compensation if you were hurt in an accident caused by a driver’s recklessness or a property owner’s failure to clear a private road of ice.
Contact Us
To learn more about your legal rights as the victim of a car accident triggered by another party’s negligent disregard for the presence of black ice, contact the Wausau auto accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. at 800-242-2874 today.
