Pennsylvania’s harsh winters often force drivers to face adverse road conditions such as snowstorms, freezing rain, and slippery roads. In these situations, drivers experience reduced visibility, limited stopping power, and difficulty controlling vehicles. Such issues are especially dangerous for truck drivers attempting to control a tractor-trailer or large commercial truck.
Bad weather truck accidents in Philadelphia often leave victims wondering if they have legal options for pursuing compensation for their injuries. If you were injured in a bad weather truck crash, the experienced truck accident lawyers at Marrone Law Firm, LLC could explain your rights to compensation. Although truck drivers are likely to try to avoid liability when weather is a factor, our lawyers could obtain the evidence necessary to suggest their actions played a role in your accident. Contact us today for a thorough assessment of your case.
Trucks take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles and require increased visibility to accurately identify potential risks. There are several reasons that inclement weather makes driving especially risky for truck drivers, including the following:
However, weather alone does not excuse liability. Truck drivers are responsible for driving with extra care when weather conditions impact driving. This may mean driving at a slower speed, increasing following distance, or pulling off the road when it is unsafe to drive. If a truck driver fails to act with caution and causes an accident when driving in unsafe conditions, a Philadelphia attorney could help those injured prove negligence and pursue compensation.
Semi-truck drivers are under a great deal of pressure to maintain travel schedules and deliver cargo as expected. However, certain laws, like Federal Statute 42 U.S.C. § 392.14, require drivers of commercial motor vehicles to exercise extreme caution when hazardous conditions, such as snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke adversely affect visibility or traction. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the statute instructs drivers to reduce speed or discontinue operation to avoid accidents. Truck drivers who fail to follow these regulations are considered negligent and can be held liable for resulting accidents.
Truck insurance companies often use inclement weather as a way to discount valid accident claims. However, with the help of a skilled Philadelphia attorney, evidence showing any of the following could be used to prove negligence in bad weather truck accidents.
An experienced legal team could help victims gather evidence, such as camera footage and witness statements, to prove these actions contributed to an accident.
Adverse weather contributes to accidents all the time. However, truck drivers have a responsibility to adjust their driving practices to align with road conditions. Bad weather truck accidents in Philadelphia are rarely caused by weather alone, and the experienced attorneys at Marrone Law Firm, LLC could help you gather evidence to determine whether a truck driver’s negligence contributed to the accident that caused your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal options for pursuing compensation for bad weather truck accidents.