This page within Virginia Tort Case Law is a compilation of cases reported by the Virginia Supreme Court and summarized by Brien Roche dealing with the topic of Snow and Ice. For more information on the topic of traffic collisions see the pages on Wikipedia.
Snow and Ice Cases
1981 Trail v. Mite, 221 Va. 932, 275 S.E.2d 617.
Where dangerous conditions exist on highway and they are open and obvious, then degree of care must be proportionate to known danger.
1975 Monday v. Oliver, 215 Va. 748, 214 S.E.2d 142.
Motor vehicle accident caused by defendant skidding on snow and ice. John Doe vehicle also involved; jury question presented.
1974 Meador v. Lawson, 214 Va. 759, 204 S.E.2d 285.
When abnormal conditions are known and heightened hazards they create are reasonably foreseeable, standard of care is higher.
1971 Albright v. Boulevard Bridge Corp., 212 Va. 251, 183 S.E.2d 741.
Plaintiff claimed she skidded on ice. Jury question presented as to negligence since there was evidence that plaintiff had ample time to see ice and to avoid skidding.
1970 Fisher v. Gordon, 210 Va. 523, 171 S.E.2d 835.
Where snow covers lane dividers, statute requiring driving in the demarcated lanes is not applicable. Proper test is whether parties were exercising care proportionate to known and obvious dangerous condition of highway.
1966 Guill v. Aaron, 207 Va. 393, 150 S.E.2d 95.
Plaintiff guest injured when defendant’s vehicle sped up and hit icy spot in road resulting in skid which led to impact with embankment. Simple negligence only.
1963 Gilliland v. Singleton, 204 Va. 115, 129 S.E.2d 641.
Skidding on ice. Defendant was advised to take foot off brake. Jury issue as to defendant’s negligence.
1963 Whitley v. Patterson, 204 Va. 36, 129 S.E.2d 19.
Mere proof of skidding of vehicle on icy roadway does not establish negligence, but it is circumstance to be considered along with all other evidence. In cases of skidding, principal inquiry is to driver’s conduct prior to such skidding.
1961 Bedget v. Lewin, 202 Va. 535, 118 S.E.2d 650.
Snow and ice cases. Defendant skidded on snow and ice into plaintiff’s lane of traffic. Although it was held that defendant had to explain why his vehicle was on wrong side of road, jury question was presented as to whether defendant was negligent.
1951 Steele v. Crocker, 191 Va. 873, 62 S.E.2d 850.
Snow and ice cases. Plaintiff was guest in defendant’s vehicle. Defendant attempted to pass three snow plows during snowstorm. Vehicle went into skid, struck oncoming car head-on. Defendant ignored statutory requirements and all ordinary rules of safety.
1949 Via v. Badanes, 189 Va. 44, 52 S.E.2d 174.
Weather conditions (i.e., snow and ice in right hand traffic lane) imposed duty upon driver to exercise more than normal vigilance to observe movement of other vehicles.
1947 Austin v. Austin, 186 Va. 382, 43 S.E.2d 31.
Snow and Ice cases. Defendant’s vehicle apparently hit patch of glare ice and defendant lost control. This is not sufficient to create jury issue as to gross negligence.
1942 Richmond v. Best, 180 Va. 429, 23 S.E.2d 224.
Snow and ice cases.Fact that several cars had skidded on ice and fact that part of street was covered with sand warranted factual determination that ice was not open and obvious.