Bad Weather Truck Accidents in Pooler

Inclement weather conditions substantially increase the risk of automobile collisions, including those involving large commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers. Strong winds, fog, rain, snow, and sleet can cause slippery road conditions, reduce maneuverability, and increase stopping distances, leading to a higher risk of crashes.

You can seek relief from the responsible party if someone’s negligence caused harm. For help after bad weather truck accidents in Pooler, contact an experienced Chattahoochee Injury Law attorney to schedule an appointment.

Stopping Distances for Tractor-Trailers

Even in normal weather and road conditions, heavy commercial vehicles like 18-wheelers require more stopping room than passenger cars. During storms or other bad weather conditions in Pooler, stopping distances are significantly increased, which can amplify the risk of a truck accident. Water on road and highway surfaces reduces friction between the tires and asphalt.

The loss of traction makes slowing down more challenging, increasing the risk of hydroplaning or skidding, which can cause crashes.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) directs truckers to reduce their speed by at least one-third while traveling on wet, slippery roads and by at least half during snowstorms. Ice and packed snow on the streets and highways increase the chance of losing traction even more than water, and the potential for collisions also becomes greater. When the weather causes extreme risks of crashing, truck operators must find a safe location to pull over and wait for the road conditions to improve.

Reduced Visibility

Fog differs from other inclement weather risks because it does not directly impact on-road traction. However, it severely limits the distance a driver can see in front of them.

Limited visibility may prevent truckers from seeing hazards until it is too late to stop in time to avoid an accident. Our experienced injury law attorney can investigate the cause of your bad weather truck wreck in Pooler, determine liability, and build a powerful case for damages.

What To Do After a Bad Weather Truck Collision

The aftermath of any vehicle collision can be overwhelming, and those involving tractor-trailers are more complex. When environmental conditions such as rain or snow are contributing factors, you can take steps to protect your safety, interests, and legal rights. Essential measures to take after crashes include the following:

• Ensure everyone in the car assesses themselves for injuries to determine if they require emergency care
• Report the emergency right away if there are serious or life-threatening injuries
• Move the vehicle to safety off the roadway if possible to prevent additional collisions
• Call the local authorities to report the incident if you don’t need emergency services
• Exchange information such as names, phone numbers, and auto insurance companies with the other drivers
• Gather evidence such as notes of the specifics, pictures, videos, and witness statements with their contact information

Our lawyers, skilled in cases resulting from bad weather truck crashes in Pooler, can help you through each step of the process, communicate with insurance companies, and handle negotiations.

Talk to a Qualified Attorney After a Bad Weather Truck Wreck in Pooler

The FMCSA reports that inclement weather has a substantial impact on road and highway safety. That is particularly true for commercial trucks due to needing more room to come to a complete stop, increased risk of losing traction with the road, and decreased visibility. When truck operators fail to use additional caution and cause crashes, personal injury law allows you to pursue compensation from the responsible trucker and other responsible parties to cover your damages and losses.

These cases are often complicated and time-consuming because trucking companies have legal teams and insurers ready to fight on their behalf. To fight for a fair outcome, seeking guidance and advice from an experienced injury lawyer is in your best interest. Contact our law office for advice and help after any bad weather truck accidents in Pooler.