Truck Accidents in the Winter Season
While all traffic accidents are dangerous, truck accidents are more so, and winter weather significantly increases the associated risks. Traffic in Pottsville is considerable, so it is in your best interest to proceed with caution. The better you understand the dangers associated with trucks and the winter season, the better prepared you’ll be to stay safe out there. And if a truck driver’s negligence leaves you or someone you care about injured, don’t delay consulting with an experienced truck accident attorney at Fanelli, Evans & Patel.
Why Truck Drivers Are Held to Higher Safety Standards
Truckers haul huge, heavy loads across our highways and byways for a living. This makes them professional drivers subject to strict safety standards, including those for winter driving. Yes, truck drivers often face tight deadlines, but they also have a primary responsibility to drive safely, including taking the necessary precautions in adverse weather. And when they fail to live up to this duty, they can be held legally liable.
How Snow and Ice Increase Truck Accident Risks
Snow and ice make our roadways more difficult for every driver to navigate safely, but the risks are amplified for truckers. To begin, truck drivers already require much longer stopping distances than the rest of us. When snow and ice are present, truck drivers must allow even more space between their rigs and the forward traffic to ensure safe passage.
Furthermore, tractor-trailers are connected by a hitch that allows coordinated yet separate movement. When ice and snow are present, however, there is a greater risk of jackknife and rollover accidents due to reduced traction and the potential for opposing movement between the two basic truck components.
Reduced Visibility and Winter Driving Dangers
All the following winter weather conditions decrease visibility on our roadways:
- Fog
- Heavy rain
- Sleet
- Snow
- Fewer hours of light
Truckers who fail to take reduced visibility into careful account pose a serious risk to everyone else on the road. The only safe response to wintry driving conditions is to slow down; accordingly, sometimes, getting off the road entirely is required. Truck drivers who push through bad weather are far more likely to cause life-threatening accidents.
How High Winds Affect Tractor-Trailers
Semis have a tall, relatively narrow profile, making them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of high winds. Strong gusts of wind striking their rigs can make it very difficult for truck drivers to maintain safe control, and the risk is especially pronounced during lane changes. Truck drivers who don’t pay adequate attention to winter conditions, such as high winds, are more vulnerable to being pushed off course, to jackknifing, and to rolling over.
Speak With a Pottsville Truck Accident Lawyer Today
The compassionate Pottsville truck accident attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel are well prepared to unleash the full scope of our impressive experience and legal skill in pursuit of your claim’s best possible resolution. Contact us online or call us at 570-622-2455 today.