Accidents Due To Bad Weather
You’re likely already aware that accidents happen when bad weather hits. But unfortunately, heavy rains, storms, and even hurricane threats can quickly turn a familiar route into a hostile and possible life-threatening ordeal.
Even if you feel prepared for road conditions, collisions involving a semi-truck can result in serious injuries or even death.?
As trucking law experts, we have worked with victims or families injured or killed by the dangerous combination.
Driving in bad weather and possible negligence, we understand how frustrating it could be for you to address the details of your accident.
Your Liability While Driving During Bad Weather
Some may say Mother Nature has been the “no-fault” party:
Driving in lousy weather is the same responsibility as when driving in weather that is cooperative. Bad weather is not a legitimate excuse for an accident.
The federal regulations of truck drivers must adhere to extreme caution while driving in dangerous weather conditions.
Passenger vehicles should be aware that semi-truck drivers are not among those who have the option of staying home during work during bad weather.
Unfortunately, if you are on the road when a storm is present, there’s a higher chance of encountering a semi-truck accident.
The reality is that all drivers have to exercise caution during bad weather. However, combining difficult driving conditions and sharing the road with truck drivers who have strict deadlines may cause trucking accidents may be more likely to happen.
Inclement Weather to Avoid
While a commercial semi-truck may look immovable, bad weather conditions are hazardous for semi-trucks. The high center of gravity, narrow distance between the left and right wheels, and the heavy load it carries make it vulnerable to slight changes.
In addition, any sudden change in direction can cause a chain reaction.
Here are a few weather situations that can cause a trucking accident to take place:
Wind Storms:
A top-heavy structure makes a truck’s chance of tipping over on the road more likely during high winds.
In addition, the stronger and more unpredictable the weather is, the more significant the truck’s chance of tipping over on the road. A big-rig rollover can devastate the truck driver and nearby drivers if this happens.
Heavy Rain or Snow:
A hydroplaning track ranks one of the most dangerous forces you can encounter. Rain, snow, and ice have similar adverse effects on the road, making surfaces slippery. Ice is worse than rain because ice affects a truck’s traction. Semi-trucks traveling at high speed can cause a lack of traction, making steering and braking difficult. So again, you may be more vulnerable.
Lightning Storms or Thunderstorms:
Sudden storms or bad weather may create dangerous driving conditions causing more accidents. The flashing lightning and thunder from storms can frighten drivers causing them to step on the brakes abruptly. Quick and Sudden movements can raise the chances that a driver will lose control of their truck.
Fog:
Foggy visibility can cause drivers to veer out of their lanes. In addition, drivers who do not adequately use headlights and taillights effectively, or have non-functioning equipment, may cause a risk to fellow drivers.
Despite work schedules and deadlines, truck drivers must be aware of and perform the following when necessary: exercise extreme caution and even pull over during hazardous conditions to protect public safety.
The Law Says
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) unequivocally state that “extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions” exist. And Article § 392.14 of the FMCSR says extreme caution must be used in any situation where “snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust or smoke adversely affect visibility or traction.”
The Federal regulations clearly state that “the driver” is responsible for the vehicle’s safe operation. Furthermore, commercial truck drivers are to cease the truck’s operation when there are extremely hazardous driving conditions. However, because this is the law, it doesn’t mean rules are followed.
So, who or what is to blame if you are involved in a collision during poor weather? Limitless factors can contribute to the accident besides the road, driver, or weather conditions. Although determining liability may seem obvious in some situations, every case is unique.
The courts assess the penalty after a thorough investigation. Therefore, establishing negligence is vitally crucial for your case.
To learn more about proving negligence in a trucking accident, the Truck Accident Law Firm, we will get to the bottom for answers that protect you and your case.
What to Do If I’m Involved in an Accident Due to Poor Weather?
Get legal advice immediately. Commercial, semi, and dump trucks often have complex insurance plans. As a result, reaching a proper settlement amount may be difficult. In addition, if your accident claim is not paid, suing for compensation is complicated and time-consuming.
With the Truck Accident Law Firm, we will get to the bottom for answers that protect you and your case.
The Truck Accident Law Firm wants to work with you and get all the answers required to protect you and your case. Suppose you have sustained injuries or financial losses due to a lousy weather trucking accident. We have the skills and determination to work for you – over half of our cases are dedicated to semi-truck accident victims.
In addition, we offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Contact us at 888-511-TRUCK (8782) about a bad-weather trucking accident, We also offer a Free Case Review for you.