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Bad weather can cause serious or even fatal truck accidents. Rain, fog, ice, snow, and high winds make driving 18-wheelers much more dangerous. Big trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can be deadly if not driven with extreme caution in inclement weather.
Because of the size of a semi-truck, drivers must use extra caution when the weather turns bad.
With decades of experience handling truck accident cases in Texas, we see the same pattern repeatedly. Weather is rarely the true cause of a crash. The real cause is a failure to slow down, stop, or operate safely or pull over when conditions demand it.
Extreme weather conditions pose a risk to all of us on the roadway. But commercial trucks are harder to control. With longer stopping distances and the possibility of a jack-knife accident when traction is lost, driving a big rig in bad weather is more dangerous.
Professional truck drivers are required to use extra caution when driving in extreme weather conditions. Trucking companies are required to train their drivers to comply with safety regulations, not only for their drivers but for everyone on the road.
Disregarding weather conditions to meet a deadline can turn a preventable situation into a deadly one.
Heavy rain is one of the most common weather factors in Texas truck accidents. Wet roads reduce tire grip and increase braking distance. Heavy rain can also cause hydroplaning, especially for tractor-trailers traveling at highway speeds.
Common truck crashes in heavy traffic include:
• Rear-end collisions caused by delayed braking
• Jackknife accidents from loss of traction
• Lane departures due to hydroplaning
• Multi-vehicle pileups during sudden downpours
Truck drivers must slow down well below posted speed limits when weather conditions are bad. Failing to adjust speed can violate basic safety duties.
Fog is another dangerous condition on Texas highways. Heavy fog cuts visibility, leaving drivers unable to see other vehicles until it is too late.
Fog-related truck accidents often involve
• High-speed rear-end collisions
• Chain-reaction pileups
• Failure to see traffic slowing ahead
Professional drivers must be trained to drastically reduce speed or pull off the roadway when visibility becomes unsafe.
Ice is one of the most dangerous conditions for commercial trucks. Black ice is especially hazardous because it is nearly invisible. Once a truck loses traction on ice, the driver often cannot regain control.
Truck drivers and companies must monitor forecasts and road conditions. Choosing to operate without proper precautions places everyone on the road at risk.
Snow reduces traction and visibility simultaneously. Snow can hide lane markings and make stopping dangerous.
Delivery deadlines never excuse unsafe driving in winter conditions.
High winds are a risk for tractor-trailers, especially empty or lightly loaded trailers. Strong gusts can push trailers into other lanes or flip them entirely.
Drivers must assess wind conditions and avoid exposed routes when winds become dangerous.
Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, professional truck drivers owe a higher duty of care than ordinary motorists. Professional drivers must be trained to handle known risks. When weather conditions become extreme, that duty increases.
A truck driver’s duty of care under 49 CFR Section 392.14, during bad weather, includes:
• Slowing well below posted speed limits
• Increasing following distance
• Using headlights and hazard lights properly
• Monitoring weather and road conditions
• Pulling off the roadway when conditions become unsafe
Federal safety rules require drivers to use extreme caution in hazardous conditions. If the weather becomes especially dangerous, drivers must stop operating until it is safe to continue.
The weather does not excuse unsafe driving. It requires greater care.
Trucking companies share responsibility for bad-weather accidents. Companies must properly train drivers, enforce safety policies, and avoid pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic schedules during storms.
Common company failures include
• Inadequate weather safety training
• Dispatching drivers into dangerous conditions
• Ignoring known forecasts and road warnings
• Encouraging speed or delivery deadlines over safety
When companies prioritize profits over safety, they create predictable, preventable risks.
Insurance companies often claim that weather alone caused the crash. That argument ignores the law and common sense. The weather is severe, and professional drivers must exercise extra caution.
Evidence used to prove a violation of the safety regulations for driving in bad weather includes:
• Driver logs and electronic data
• Event Data Recorders showing speed and braking records
• Weather and road condition reports
• Company safety policies and dispatch instructions
The key issue is whether the driver and the company acted reasonably under the conditions.
Victims of bad-weather truck accidents may recover compensation for:
The weather does not shield negligent drivers or trucking companies from liability.
Accidents involving adverse weather trucks are rarely unavoidable. Most happen because drivers fail to slow down or stop, and companies fail to enforce safety rules. Professional truck drivers are held to a higher standard for a reason.
When that standard is ignored, injured Texans and their families have the right to pursue full accountability and fair compensation.
Find an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Accidents involving commercial trucks are more complex than typical car accidents. Truck drivers and trucking companies have additional legal responsibilities that require expertise in truck accidents.
Getting a full compensation offer requires filing a lawsuit when the injuries are serious or someone has been killed.
For more than four decades, we have helped trucking accident victims get full compensation for their injuries. We have handled numerous cases involving rain, fog, snow, and ice.
Our experience with truck accidents enables us to quickly investigate the accident and gather the evidence needed to build a strong case for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your accident- call (281) 893-0760.
