Bad weather comes with a range of risks and safety hazards for drivers. Poor weather conditions and large trucks are a dangerous combination that can lead to devastating accidents, especially if the trucking company or its truck driver is careless.
If a truck accident in San Antonio happens in bad weather, injured victims can still hold someone responsible in many cases for failing to prevent the crash. Protect your legal rights in this situation by consulting with an experienced truck accident lawyer in San Antonio as soon as possible.
How Can Truck Drivers Avoid Accidents in Bad Weather?
Texas gets a wide range of severe weather that can quickly become dangerous for drivers, including heavy rains, tropical storms, flash floods, hail storms, high winds and tornadoes. Truck drivers must be trained in how to control their trucks in all types of weather. A truck driver can take many actions to help prevent accidents when there are wet roads, reduced visibility and other dangerous environmental factors.
Examples include:
- Properly inspecting and maintaining the truck beforehand
- Allowing extra time to avoid having to rush
- Tracking weather advisories and planning accordingly
- Reducing the speed of the big rig
- Driving slowly around curves
- Increasing following distance
- Using proper braking techniques on slippery roads to avoid skidding or jackknifing
- Using truck lights and signals appropriately, including hazard lights, when necessary
- Making smooth lane changes and avoiding sudden movements
- Avoiding distractions and staying focused on the road
- Ensuring proper load securement in high winds
- Pulling the truck over if weather conditions are too dangerous to continue
Commercial truck drivers should be equipped to handle all types of weather. They should be proactive in their strategies for ensuring their safety and the safety of others in adverse weather conditions. Any breach of this duty of care that results in a harmful truck accident in San Antonio could be grounds for a lawsuit filed by victims.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bad Weather Truck Accident in San Antonio?
If you get involved in a truck accident in San Antonio during a storm or other dangerous weather conditions, you may have the right to file an insurance claim or bring a lawsuit against the trucking company. If the truck driver makes a critical error, such as speeding or improper braking, the company can be held vicariously liable, even in bad weather.
The trucking company may also be held liable if it contributed to the crash in some manner, such as failing to properly train its drivers or maintain safe trucks (e.g., in a truck crash caused by brake failure). If another driver on the road contributed to the crash, you may be eligible for additional compensation from his or her insurance provider, as well.
When to Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck accident that occurs in bad weather can lead to a complicated and challenging injury claim. The truck company and its insurance provider will most likely try to avoid liability, such as by claiming the crash occurred due to an “act of God” or blaming you for the collision. It can be important to hire a truck accident lawyer in San Antonio for assistance with this type of case.
A San Antonio injury lawyer can thoroughly investigate the crash to collect evidence of fault. Then, your lawyer can use this evidence to prove to an insurance company, judge or jury that someone else is responsible for your crash. You can trust your attorney to fight for maximum financial compensation on your behalf while you concentrate on healing from your injuries.
For a free legal consultation about your specific case after a bad weather truck accident in San Antonio, contact Hill Law Firm Accident and Injury Attorneys.