We believe individuals should be held accountable for how they drive during bad weather.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, one quarter of all traffic accidents in the U.S. are weather-related and occur during conditions such as rain, sleet, snow, or fog. This is because during heavy weather, drivers may experience a greater difficulty in controlling their vehicles. When the roads are slick and visibility is limited, even driving at speeds that may otherwise be permissible can be deadly. This is especially dangerous when it involves large trucks.
In 2006, a study of large truck crashes by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ranked weather among the top 20 causes for truck accidents involving deaths and serious injuries. They estimated weather was a critical factor in 20,000 crashes involving large trucks over a multi-year period.
Most weather-related accidents happen on wet pavement and during rainfall. In fact, three-fourths of weather-related accidents occur on wet pavement and nearly half during rain. Rain reduces visibility, makes roadways slick, and lengthens stopping time for all vehicles, but particularly for large commercial trucks carrying heavy loads.
Commercial drivers trying to make delivery deadlines may drive too fast for road conditions during adverse weather, resulting in serious accidents. Each year trucking companies lose an estimated 32 billion vehicle hours due to weather-related congestion in the nation's metropolitan areas, per an analysis of weather effects on commercial vehicle mobility.
A truck driver may feel pressure to make a delivery despite the adverse weather, leading to an accident as he or she speeds through stormy weather. He or she may also drive too many hours because of an unanticipated weather delay, putting him on the road when he or she is dangerously fatigued. This behavior may put everyone else on the road at risk.
Trucker often face enormous pressure to keep driving when they are tired or when the weather does not permit it. Get the facts on how many hours they can actually drive under federal law.
Learn MoreNone of us can control the weather, but we can control how we drive when roads are slick. Most truck drivers are conscientious, professional drivers. But some irresponsible truck drivers push the envelope during adverse weather conditions and cause serious accidents. Unfortunately, it is usually the occupants of other vehicles who suffer.
We act as advocates for the victims of truck accidents throughout the U.S. We have gone up against some of the largest trucking companies in the nation and won considerable verdicts and settlements for our clients. We are experienced in dealing with notoriously difficult insurance providers.
No matter the circumstances surrounding your truck accident claim, we are prepared to fight. Whether we represent a client inside or outside of the courtroom, we work tirelessly to seek the best possible result on their behalf. This shows in our case results—we have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Call now!