A perfect storm is brewing when it comes to keeping tractor-trailers on the road in bad weather.
A nationwide shortage of truckers, supply chain issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic, lax federal enforcement, and a system that pays truck drivers by the mile have all increased the risks that truck drivers will decide to stay on the road when Mother Nature dictates that they should stay parked and wait for dangerous weather to pass.
A recent study by the New York Times reports weakening of the Teamsters Union over the last 30 years has created pay disparities that have caused many drivers to leave the profession. Those that remain are increasingly inexperienced and undertrained and are left with few options other than to push the limits of safety and endurance in order to earn an adequate living.
Weather Trucking Accidents: Factors of Causation
Experienced Chillicothe trucking accident attorneys know bad weather does not absolve truckers of the responsibility for a serious or fatal traffic collision. In fact these professional drivers should know better than the average motorist what the risks are for driving in poor weather and during bad road conditions.
Yet whenever a storm hits, the only motorists on the road are often driving tractor-trailers inching up the Interstate or attempting to forge their way along the highways and byways of Southern Ohio.
Some of the most common causes of bad weather trucking accidents include:
Rain: Flooding and reduced visibility are two of the most common causes of trucking accidents during rainy weather. Attempting to stop, or oversteering to avoid standing water, can cause jackknife or rollover trucking accidents, which are among the most serious.
Fog: Fog is an overlooked cause of trucking collisions, particularly here in Southern Ohio. Truck drivers typically prefer to drive sundown to sunup and early morning fog can hit right as a driver is most fatigued and least able to safely travel. Trucks traveling at highway speed typically take two football fields to come to a complete stop, far longer than visibility allows during foggy conditions.
Snow and ice: Snow and ice are by far the most dangerous. The vast majority of a tractor trailer’s tires are on the trailer. These are not drive wheels and a sudden loss of traction beneath a trailer can result in jackknifing, rollover or roadway departure.
Wind: Wind is another often overlooked factor. Because of their high center of gravity, and length, trailers are vulnerable to the effects of wind, particularly when unloaded or underloaded.
Weather Accident Injury Claims
Contacting an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible after a weather-related accident is the best thing you can do to protect your rights. Thoroughly investigating the causes of an accident involves investigating the scene as close as possible to the time of the incident. Weather conditions change quickly.
Trucks are driven to their destinations and unloaded. Repairs are made. Determining all factors of causation is best done in the immediate aftermath of a serious or fatal collision.
Truck drivers are not absolved of responsibility because of poor weather. However, other factors of causation may include unsafe loads or unsafe equipment, including tires and brakes. A thorough review may result in identifying other factors of causation, which may identify additional defendants and their insurance companies responsible for compensating accident victims.
Call Chillicothe Injury Lawyer Mike Warren at 740-774-4357 today at Buckeye Legal for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
