How Does Winter Weather Cause Truck Accidents?
Because driving is a part of daily life (for most of us), it’s easy to forget the risks we face whenever we get behind the wheel or in the passenger seat of a vehicle. These dangers increase significantly with big-box trucks and tractor-trailers sharing the road. Due to their much larger size, there is a greater potential for severe or fatal injury to drivers and passengers in a truck accident.
Some traffic, road, and weather conditions can also increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Driving conditions caused by winter weather can exacerbate the potential for dangerous truck crashes on Virginia roads.
The US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration reports that over 70 percent of the nation’s roads are located in snowy regions. The winter season tends to produce heavy fog, snow, and frigid temperatures, all of which can cause more truck accidents. The combination of inclement winter weather and big-box trucks can result in devastating collisions. In fact, the FHWA noted, “116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually.”
Fog, Heavy Snowfall, and Visibility
In many parts of the country, winter weather consists of cold temperatures, heavy snow, and ice-covered roads. These weather conditions can create dangerous conditions for drivers and passengers.
Excessive fog, which is common in winter months, and heavy snow can cause visibility issues for motorists. When a driver’s visibility is negatively impacted, it can cause a collision with other vehicles or objects. Fog can also seriously decrease a driver’s ability to react to a dangerous situation on the road. Visibility issues are especially dangerous for truck drivers. Truck drivers already deal with larger blind spots when driving. If you add heavy fog or snowfall, truck drivers may face increased visibility issues.
Another factor affecting drivers’ visibility in the winter months is Daylight Saving Time. During this time, we experience longer periods of darkness throughout the winter season. Motorists have much less visibility in the dark than they do during the daytime, which can lead to more accidents.
Ice, Snow, and the Roads
Freezing winter temperatures bring an increased likelihood of icy or snowy roads. Untreated icy and snowy roads can be slick. Slick roads can cause vehicles to skid and drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Tractor-trailers and box trucks often carry heavy loads. In fact, fully loaded tractor-trailers can weigh as much as 85,000 pounds. If icy or snowy roads increase the risk of skidding and given the added weight of tractor-trailers, truck drivers can lose control of these massive commercial vehicles and cause deadly accidents.
Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers at The Johnson Injury Firm in Richmond, VA
If you were injured in a Virginia truck accident caused by someone else’s actions, you could seek compensation for your injuries. The Johnson Injury Firm fights to hold wrongdoers accountable for the harm they’ve caused our clients. Our Richmond truck accident lawyers have decades of combined experience representing clients who have been seriously injured in truck accidents.
Reach out to our experienced truck accident lawyers to help you pursue the compensation you’re owed if you’ve been seriously injured in a truck accident. Call The Johnson Injury Firm right away at 804-262-9000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We’ll discuss details of the accident and your injuries, and help you understand your legal options.
