Personal Injury Claims Among Friends & Family: A Delicate Situation
Posted in: Ohio Personal Injury
KNR Legal Blog
Trucking accidents are far more common when truckers encounter dangerous weather conditions. Truck drivers are professionals, many of whom have decades of experience operating big rigs. However, not every driver has a stellar record or the years of practice necessary to handle bad weather and less-than-ideal road conditions. This inexperience behind the wheel during poor weather leads to serious and deadly accidents. In extremely dangerous weather, even veteran truckers with clean driving records make mistakes and errors in judgment.
If you were involved in a trucking accident, contact the Ohio truck accident lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick at 1-800-HURT-NOW.
Not every trucker on the road is well-practiced and prepared to drive safely during a downpour. Rain significantly affects driving conditions by reducing visibility and creating slick roads. Additionally, rain rarely arrives alone. It is often accompanied by strong winds or ice. When truckers are working with slick roads, reduced traction, and poor visibility, they may also have to maneuver against strong winds or be wary of black ice. These are all tasks that take additional skill, practice, and attention.
Snow and ice create dangerous roadways for truckers that often lead to accidents. Driving during a snow fall means there is reduced visibility, wet pavement, less traction, and a higher likelihood of other drivers making mistakes. A light snow can lead to wet roads similar to the impact of rain. However, a heavy fall or winter storm can cause snow to pile up on the roads. There may be waist-high drifts that block parts of the road and obscure the lines.
Truckers cannot always see ice that is on the roads. Instead, they must understand the weather well enough to know the road conditions they are likely to face. If there is moisture in the air or it was recently snowing or raining and the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, then there is probably some ice on the roads.
Ice can be hidden due to snow or black ice, making it particularly difficult to identify and safely navigate. Truckers need to know when they will encounter ice and understand how to spot black ice. While black ice is translucent and shows the dark pavement below, it often gives the road a glassy or wet look. If a portion of the road appears to be reflective, it is either wet or has ice. When temperatures are in or below the 30s, that wet pavement will likely be black ice.
Fog is a less common occurrence than rain, snow, and ice. However, when it rolls in, it makes safely driving a big rig a tough job. Fog can reduce visibility to the point where truckers cannot see the road in front of them. They may not even be able to see the front end of their hoods let alone another car or truck a short distance ahead. When this is the case, all truck drivers must be extraordinarily cautious to avoid driving off the road, rear-ending another vehicle, or changing lanes into another vehicle. They should use low-beam headlights or fog lights when possible. High beam lights should never be used because the light is simply reflected back at the truck and driver. Truckers should also turn on hazard lights to make it easier for other vehicles to see them.
If you were injured in an accident because a trucker did not operate his rig appropriately for the weather, then you should contact an experienced Ohio truck accident lawyer at Kisling, Nestico & Redick. We understand how severe your injuries and property damage can be after a collision with a semi-truck, which is why we take fighting for your recovery seriously. We will help you file and support your claims with the truck driver or trucking company’s insurance providers. If settlement negotiations come to a standstill, we will aggressively represent your interests in court. Helping you obtain compensation so that you can move forward with your life is our priority.
Call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule an initial consultation.