Any time of the year can be risky when it comes to sharing the road with a huge commercial truck, but wintertime is even more dangerous. There is always the potential for one of many different types of truck accidents occurring, but those chances rise exponentially when the roads are covered in snow or ice. Why is this the case? Why is winter even more dangerous? You’ll learn why in this article.
The skilled truck accident attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen will be standing by if you’ve suffered an injury caused by a negligent truck driver, trucking company, or some other liable party. We have a great deal of experience in this area of the law, and we’ve been able to obtain substantial compensation on behalf of many of our clients. Schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling (800) 732-3070.
Winter Weather Truck Accident Statistics
Most people don’t realize it, but nearly 70% of the population of the United States lives in what are regarded as “snowy” regions – areas that average at least five inches of snow every year. In addition, more than 70% of the nation’s roads are located in these regions.
About 25% of all weather-related accidents – all accidents, not just those involving trucks – take place on roads that have ice, slush or snow on them. These accidents lead to an average of more than 1,300 deaths, and nearly 117,000 injuries each year.
Snowfall and sleet account for 15% of all weather-related crashes, and these typically result in the loss of 900 people, as well as 76,000 injuries each year on average.
More Trucks on the Road in Winter Means More Accidents
Wintertime, of course, is most closely associated with the holiday season. Truck drivers are under immense pressure to meet deadlines, no matter what time of the year it may be. But that pressure ramps up even further during winter, as stores are clamoring for deliveries to replenish their inventories for holiday shoppers.
But not only are drivers under more pressure, there are also more of them on the road, simply due to the demand for goods. That means people are sharing the road with more fatigued truck drivers, and those roads are in worse condition.
Causes of Winter Truck Accidents
There are a lot of reasons why the chances of a truck accident are higher during the winter months. These are just a few of them.
Snowstorms
If you’ve ever tried to drive in a blinding snowstorm, you know it’s just about impossible to do so safely. Now, imagine yourself trying to control an 80,000-pound machine in these kinds of conditions. It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been behind the wheel of a commercial truck. Trying to navigate a highway during a snowstorm is a recipe for disaster. But truck drivers often feel they have to do so – again, all in the name of meeting a deadline.
Black Ice
This is arguably even more dangerous than trying to drive in a blizzard. The reason is that most of the road surface might seem just fine, but there’s a patch of invisible ice, or black ice, that can be impossible to see – especially at night. Whenever a vehicle hits black ice, there’s a very good chance that it’s going to suddenly spin out of control.
That’s why it’s so important to always use caution when the weather is extremely cold, and there has been precipitation in recent days. You might not see any sort of accumulation of ice on the side of the road, but it could still be on the highway.
Increase in Trucks
As you learned earlier, there are simply more trucks on the roads this time of the year, which, of course, means a higher chance of accidents taking place. Trucking companies are notorious for failing to inspect their rigs even in good weather. When they do this during winter, it can result in a devastating truck accident. A truck’s tire could suddenly blow out, the brakes could fail, or some other component could malfunction. If this happens, and an accident occurs as a result, then an injury victim might be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent trucking company.
Increase in Personal Vehicles
Winter not only means an increase in commercial trucks, but also an increase in passenger cars on the road, all of which increases the likelihood of an accident. The holiday season, of course, means shopping and parties. People are in a rush to get their last-minute presents, and they might not be paying as much attention to poor road conditions because they’re preoccupied with everything they need to do. When they go to parties, of course, they will be more prone to drinking and driving – which, along with icy or snowy roads, could be a tragic combination.
It’s important to note that if an injured victim is found to have contributed to an accident – even if it seems that the truck driver (or some other party responsible for the maintenance or loading of the vehicle) – the victim will not be able to obtain full compensation. That’s why motorists always have to take all of the precautions they can when driving during winter – regardless of what reason they may be out and about.
Steps to Take After a Winter Truck Accident
The first thing to do if you’re involved with a truck, of course, is to immediately seek medical help. Even if you think you’re fine, that might just be adrenaline. Some injuries won’t start to show symptoms for days, or even weeks, after they occur.
It will also be important that you take photos and videos of the accident scene – but only if it’s completely safe to do so. They could provide the critical evidence needed to make your case as strong as possible.
Contact Penn Kestner and McEwen if You’ve Been Injured in a Winter Truck Accident
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a Penn Kestner & McEwen attorney as soon as you can if you’ve been involved in a truck accident. We’ll investigate the wreck to determine why it happened, and work to help you obtain maximum compensation. Contact us online or call (800) 732-3070 for a free review of your case.
