Avoiding 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents on Winter Roads
Icy conditions across the country are leading to an increase in auto crashes and 18-wheeler truck accidents. Some of the worst have been reported in places that have seen snow storms and blizzards in recent days, including Texas, New Jersey, Louisiana and Tennessee. Roads slick with ice have caused 18-wheelers to crash into other vehicles, including other tractor trailers, or overturn after skidding across the ice. Fortunately, few of the accidents that have resulted from the poor weather have ended in fatalities, although several injuries have been reported.
Avoiding Truck Accidents
Driving in winter weather is hard enough, but driving in close proximity to a massive truck in slippery conditions is a whole different ball game. The normal rules of the road simply don’t apply when you're around one of these gigantic machines. For one thing, when you’re driving either directly in front of or behind an 18-wheeler, it's important to keep as much distance as possible between your car and the tractor trailer, because of the longer time it takes for these trucks to stop when braking. Tailgating is inadvisable in any situation, but when the vehicle in front of you or especially behind you is a tractor trailer, it's doubly dangerous.
Always stay alert for signals from the 18-wheeler driver. For instance, because of its bulk, a tractor trailer will often move to the left first before it makes a right turn because of the wider turning radius it requires. It's important to keep your wits about you at all times, and play close attention to every sign the truck driver makes. Never attempt to overtake a tractor trailer at high speed. Slippery winter roads can increase the risk that you might skid right into the path of the 80,000 pound machine. Also watch out for bursting truck tires, a frequent occurrence with these heavy trucks. If a tire bursts when you are close by, large slabs of sheared rubber can shoot out like rocks, and smash though your windshield or that of any passenger cars nearby.
If you're driving in bad weather, it's best to slow down and keep as far away from 18-wheeler trucks as possible.
Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Bad weather can magnify the effect of the usual causes of 18-wheeler accidents, like driver fatigue, defective truck parts, speeding, and alcohol or drug abuse by truck drivers, resulting in catastrophic injuries for themselves and other motorists. Even when poor visibility and slick road conditions contribute, there may yet be other factors at work like driver negligence, inattentiveness or speeding that can be root causes of accidents. In any case, drivers of 18-wheelers must be extra cautious in adverse weather conditions to avoid an accident that could be hazardous not only to them, but also to other motorists nearby.
Investigating the causes of an 18-wheeler accident involves considerable expertise and substantial technical and financial resources. A truck accident lawyer who specializes in litigating 18-wheeler truck accident cases can bring these resources to bear on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18 wheeler truck accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free initial consultation. Our attorneys handle most cases on a contingency basis, meaning there is no fee unless we prevail on your behalf.
