how can I fight an at-fault judgement when I feel it was road conditions?

[applebees]

State: California

This has been a very rainy year for northern California. On March 18, 2005 I had an accident that I feel was caused by the slippery road conditions. I was driving on a very curvy, winding road when all of a sudden I hydroplaned and slid into an embankment. This was a one car accident. There are yellow "Icy" and "Slippery when wet" warning signs posted all over this area.
The damage to my car totaled $3800. The insurance company found me at-fault and wants to double my premium. They say the accident occured because I was being careless and negligent. I was not speeding and I feel I was driving in a safe manner according to the weather and road conditions. This is my first accident and I have no tickets. They say this accident will cause me to have 2 points on my driving record for a period of 3 years, and I will also have to pay extremely high auto insurance premiums whereever I go.

How can I fight this judement? Is there anything I can do? Please help. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[tammy8]

Sorry but you were at fault. You were driving the car and road conditions do not matter when an accident occurs. If road conditions had been that bad, you should have stayed at home.

 

[Happy Trails]

State: California

This has been a very rainy year for northern California. On March 18, 2005 I had an accident that I feel was caused by the slippery road conditions. I was driving on a very curvy, winding road when all of a sudden I hydroplaned and slid into an embankment. This was a one car accident. There are yellow "Icy" and "Slippery when wet" warning signs posted all over this area.
The damage to my car totaled $3800. The insurance company found me at-fault and wants to double my premium. They say the accident occured because I was being careless and negligent. I was not speeding and I feel I was driving in a safe manner according to the weather and road conditions. This is my first accident and I have no tickets. They say this accident will cause me to have 2 points on my driving record for a period of 3 years, and I will also have to pay extremely high auto insurance premiums whereever I go.

How can I fight this judement? Is there anything I can do? Please help. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

You were driving faster than the conditions warranted. The caution signs warned you that the roads were to be driven with caution under those conditions.

Even though you thought you were going at a safe speed, the fact is you did lose control of your vehicle. That is why the insurance company found you at-fault.

 

[teflon_jones]

Wow, how could you NOT feel you were at fault. I guess all those yellow signs weren't meant for you...