At all times, drivers must exercise caution behind the wheel. This principle applies no matter what type of vehicle you are driving, no matter what day of the week, and no matter what time it is. Private citizens must also follow the rules of the road set forth by the city, county, and state within which the vehicle is being operated. Interstate truck drivers, on the other hand, must also follow federal trucking regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA is the “lead federal government agency responsible for providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs),” and its mission is “to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.”
Truck accidents in bad weather are often tied to negligence, especially when a driver does not react accordingly. Drivers should begin to slow down during the following weather conditions – snow, rain, ice, wet roads, reduced visibility due to fog. Further, drivers should slow down when approaching curves and travelling on uneven roads, gravel roads, or construction zones. Failing to drive safely during bad weather could force a truck driver to brake suddenly in order to come to a complete stop, for example. This activity could lead to a jackknife accident with another vehicle.
If you were involved in a car accident in icy weather or snow, you should first call the police to the scene. In most states, it is required to call law enforcement. However, sometimes the police will not be able to respond in a timely manner, especially if road conditions are bad or if there are lots of other accidents.
If the vehicle that hit you was an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, it is important to look into the accident from all angles. A common misconception is that accidents in bad weather are not anyone’s fault. If it can be determined that the truck driver violated a FMCSA statute, liability may be established, as these standards typically go above and beyond the rules that ordinary citizens must follow. Essentially, truckers can be held to a higher standard if they break a federal trucking regulation.
At HURT-511, our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.
HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.
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