Truck Accidents Caused by Bad Road and Weather Conditions

Truck drivers encounter many types of weather and road conditions as they traverse Oklahoma’s varied climate. They may face extreme heat in the summer, ice storms in the winter, and tornados in the spring. Since 1950, Oklahomans have experienced an average of 53 tornados within the state’s borders each year.

While inclement weather and bad road conditions can increase the risk of accidents, truck drivers should take precautions to reduce that risk. When they fail to do so, they can be held accountable for their negligence.

If you were injured in a truck accident caused by bad weather conditions, you could be entitled to financial compensation for the harm you suffered. The Oklahoma trucking accident attorneys at Cain Law can help you demand it. We strongly believe that you should not suffer more than you already have for a truck driver’s irresponsible decision to drive in an unsafe manner through poor weather conditions.

Contact Cain Law today to speak with a truck accident attorney for wrecks caused by bad road conditions. We offer a free initial consultation and only get paid if we recover compensation in your case.

Bad Weather Conditions That Can Cause Truck Accidents

Inclement weather that can affect large trucks includes:

Trucks and Icy Roads

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 24 percent of weather-related traffic crashes occur yearly on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement. These hazardous conditions reduce traction between a vehicle’s wheels and the pavement. Reduced traction can make it challenging for the driver to control or stop their vehicle if necessary.

The consequences of lost traction can be dire when the vehicle is an 80,000-pound truck and trailer, the consequences of lost traction can be dire. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a truck of this size should be able to stop within 310 feet when traveling at 60 miles per hour. That’s about the length of a football field. Trucks will need even longer distances to stop when the roads are icy and traction is limited. As they careen hundreds of feet down the road, trucks can collide with multiple vehicles and inflict terrible injuries.

Wet Roads

According to the FHWA, 75 percent of weather-related crashes occur on wet roads, and 47 percent occur during rainfall. Wet roads reduce vehicle traction, increasing the risk of accidents. Truck drivers should reduce their speed when driving on wet roads and use their headlights and windshield wipers through rainfall.

Flooded Roads

Flooded roads can lead to hydroplaning, which occurs when standing water causes a vehicle’s tires to lose contact with the road and slide uncontrollably. Flooding can also limit or prevent access to certain parts of the road, forcing motorists to share a smaller portion of the road and increasing the risk of collisions. Truck drivers should significantly reduce their speed when encountering standing water on the road and avoid flooded areas entirely.

High Winds

High winds can put large trucks at risk of rollover accidents, in which the vehicle falls or is pushed over on its side. High winds can also cause jackknife accidents, in which the trailer falls out of sync with the cab towing it and swings wide at the point of connection. In both types of accidents, truck drivers can lose control and strike adjacent vehicles. Truck drivers should reduce speed and exercise caution when making turns during windy conditions.

Fog

According to the FHWA, over 38,700 vehicle accidents occur yearly in foggy conditions. Fog reduces visibility, sometimes to just a few yards in front of a vehicle. If truck drivers cannot see the road ahead of them, they may be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Truck drivers should reduce their speed and use headlights when driving through fog.

Recovering Damages in Truck Accidents Caused by Weather and Road Conditions

To recover compensation after a truck accident involving poor weather conditions, you must prove that the truck driver did not exercise proper care given the inclement weather and that their failure to do so caused the accident and your injuries.

It is not enough to show that the truck driver played a part in the accident, especially if the inclement weather conditions were a factor. You must demonstrate that the truck driver’s negligence caused the accident rather than merely the bad road conditions.

Examples of negligence that might lead to an accident in inclement weather might include:

  • Failing to reduce speed in bad weather conditions
  • Following other vehicles too closely
  • Failing to use headlights or turn signals
  • Driving without properly functioning equipment for weather conditions, such as inoperable windshield wipers or worn-down tires
  • Disobeying traffic lights or signs

To prove negligence, an OKC truck accident lawyer might:

  • Take photos of the accident scene
  • Access video footage of the accident, such as from traffic cameras, dash-cams, or business surveillance cameras
  • Request the police officer’s crash report
  • Gather records, such as the truck driver’s employment records, driving logs, drug testing records, and phone records
  • Review the truck’s electronic logging device

There are times when the truck driver is not the only person who can be liable for an accident. The legal concept of respondeat superior holds that an employer can be responsible for the actions of its employees. Additionally, other parties could also be responsible for the accident, such as the companies that manufactured defective parts, third parties that loaded the truck improperly, and government entities that failed to safely design and repair the road in question.

Compensation Available for Wreck Caused by Poor Road Conditions

With the help of an experienced and knowledgeable truck accident lawyer for wrecks caused by bad road conditions, you may be able to recover compensation for losses like:

  • Medical expenses
  • Physical pain and mental anguish
  • Disfigurement
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium, companionship, or society
  • Loss of wages
  • Loss of future earnings

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers For Wrecks Caused by Bad Conditions

If you were injured in a truck accident during bad weather conditions, reach out to Cain Law today for a free consultation. These are tricky cases to prove, but we have the experience, resources, and determination to handle them. Our weather-related truck accident lawyers will fight for your rights and hold the at-fault driver accountable for driving irresponsibly through unsafe conditions.