Los Angeles Bad Weather Truck Accident Attorney

Bad weather accidents involving commercial trucks and tractor-trailers in California can be catastrophic. While driving through heavy rain, high winds, snow, fog, and other poor weather conditions is challenging, truck drivers are held to a higher standard than other motorists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bad weather truck accident, turn to J&Y Law.

We have extensive experience representing truck accident victims and will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Because trucking companies, truck drivers, and their insurance companies typically attempt to deny liability, it takes an aggressive bad weather truck accident attorney to protect your rights. When you become our client, you will have peace of mind knowing that we are on your side. Please contact our office today so we can get to work on your truck accident claim. 

California Bad Weather Can Cause a Truck Accident

According to the Federal Highway Administration, many poor weather conditions increase the likelihood of a truck accident, including:

  • Snow and ice, common in the mountainous regions of California, reduce pavement friction and vehicle maneuverability, which causes slower speeds and increases the risk of a truck accident. 
  • Wind can impact the stability of large trucks and tractor-trailers because of their height. In addition, high wind can limit a truck driver’s visibility through blowing dust, rain, or snow, and wind-driven debris can obstruct roadways. 
  • Rain can impact visibility, and even small amounts of rain can cause the road surface to become slick, increasing the chance of a truck accident.
  • Ice poses a serious hazard because it can eliminate traction between the tires and the road, making it far more difficult to steer or stop a large truck traveling at a high rate of speed.
  • Fog significantly restricts distance visibility, which makes truck driving even more hazardous, particularly in the San Francisco region. 

While poor weather conditions make driving hazardous, bad weather truck accidents are typically caused by negligent or reckless truckers who fail to respond appropriately to these conditions. 

Truck Safety Rules and Bad Weather

There are a number of state and federal truck safety laws that are designed to protect the public. Trucking companies are required to properly maintain their vehicles, for example, while truck drivers must adhere to mandated driving limits. Unfortunately, trucking companies typically impose strict delivery deadlines and drivers are forced to cover vast distances over long periods of time, which is a recipe for disaster in bad weather.

Nonetheless, federal regulations require truck drivers to exercise “extreme caution” when hazardous conditions affect traction or visibility by reducing their speed or stopping the vehicle until conditions improve. In short, truckers should slow down and test their brakes on wet pavement and avoid driving through dense fog and winter weather conditions.

How an Accident Attorney Can Help

At J&Y, we have the skills and resources to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for accidents and injuries. By conducting an extensive investigation, we will work to show that bad weather was not the only factor involved in the truck accident that caused your injuries. When necessary, we collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists to show that the driver failed to adapt his or her driving to the weather conditions. 

We can also determine whether the truck driver lacked the necessary training and experience to handle poor weather conditions by reviewing the trucking company’s employment records. We will also obtain and review the trucking company’s maintenance records to determine whether a mechanical defect contributed to your bad weather truck accident.

While each case is different, you may be entitled to compensation that includes economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages will cover your actual losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages, while noneconomic damages are designed to compensate you for pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other intangible losses. 

Bad weather truck accident claims can often be resolved through an intricate and detailed negotiation with an insurance company. If the insurer refuses to honor your claim, however, we will take them to court. Above all, our objective is to help you recover damages that consider all your future medical and financial needs. 

Contact an Experienced California Bad Weather Truck Accident Attorney Today

Being injured in a bad weather truck accident can be overwhelming. While you focus on recovering, trust J&Y Law to handle your injury claim. We have a proven history of achieving significant settlements and jury awards, having recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. If a loved one has been killed in a bad weather truck accident, we can help you seek justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. At J&Y, we handle all truck accident claims on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing to us until we recover for you. Please contact our office today for a free consultation.