Bad Weather Truck Accident Lawyer
Accidents involving tractor trailers and other large trucks are typically serious due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved, as well as the generally high speeds at which such accidents occur. Those who are involved in an accident with a large truck often have extensive property damage and costly medical bills. Inclement weather may be a contributing factor to a truck accident, but it does not excuse responsibility for safe driving in well-maintained trucks. If you are involved in such an accident, consult a Virginia bad weather truck accident lawyer to evaluate who may be liable for your injuries and losses. Call and schedule a free consultation with a Virginia truck accident lawyer today to learn more.
Injury Representation From A Bad Weather Truck Accident Attorney in Virginia
Inclement weather often leads to an increase in motor vehicle accidents. Sometimes, those involved in a collision on an icy or wet road simply chalk the crash up to an “unavoidable accident.” If you are an injured party, it is a mistake to assume that just because the weather is bad, there is no liability for causing the accident. On the contrary, while bad weather may contribute to an accident, other factors such as driver inattention during poor conditions or driving too fast for conditions are often at the root of the accident.
Truck drivers are trained commercial drivers. They are expected to compensate for adverse weather conditions by taking extra precautions to avoid an accident. Distracted driving, reckless driving, speeding, DUI, and drowsy driving in poor weather can often cause a serious accident.
Our Virginia bad weather truck accident lawyers can help determine sources of liability to help our injured clients find financial compensation for their medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic losses related to the accident.
How Inclement Weather Affects Truck Accidents
In addition to ice and snow, there are many other adverse weather conditions which can make it much more difficult to drive a large truck safely. The Federal Highway Administration Office of Operations lists several types of weather conditions that can increase the likelihood of a trucking accident and explains how each may negatively impact travel:
- Wind – Because of their high profile, large trucks are susceptible to high winds, which cause the trailers to blow and become unsteady on the road. In addition to difficulty in controlling vehicle stability, high wind speeds can disrupt visibility through blowing dust, rain, or snow. Heavy winds can also cause roadway obstructions by blowing debris onto the highway. Large truck drivers must be prepared for each possibility and practice safe and defensive driving.
- Rain – Precipitation can impact visibility even when it is not coupled with high winds. Even small amounts of rain can cause the surface of the road to become slick, increasing the chance of accidents. Standing water can cause a vehicle to hydroplane. Commercial drivers must adjust their speed to safely navigate wet roadways.
- Ice – Rain causes slick roads, but ice takes the danger to the next level—in many cases completely eliminating friction between the tires and the road. A large truck traveling at a high rate of speed with no ability to brake or steer because of icy roads is a recipe for disaster.
- Fog – Fog has a significant impact on visibility distance in driving. The best way for a large truck driver to avoid a fog-related accident is to reduce his or her speed and to maintain vigilance in watching the road.
While each of the above weather conditions affects some aspect of driving—visibility, road surface, vehicle stability—these are usually not the actual cause of an accident. Instead, bad weather truck accidents are typically caused by a driver’s failure to compensate for these conditions and adapt their driving behaviors.
Call a Virginia Bad Weather Truck Accident Attorney for Help
In any large truck accident, there may be a number of entities which hold some degree of liability. Poor weather conditions do not excuse a responsibility for safe driving practices. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a trucking accident, our accident attorneys are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.
