Bad Weather Truck Accidents in Palm Springs
Changes in weather conditions can affect the safety of the roads. In bad weather, motorists should be especially careful with their driving, particularly when driving large commercial trucks. Due to their massive sizes, tractor-trailers always pose an increased risk to other people on the roads, so their drivers should exercise caution in extreme weather situations.
Bad weather truck accidents in Palm Springs can result in life-altering and even fatal injuries. A knowledgeable truck wreck lawyer could meet with you to review the facts of your accident. They might be able to help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Types of Weather-Related Accidents Occurring in the Area
Although people do not usually think of Palm Springs when they think of adverse weather conditions, bad weather can occasionally affect drivers anywhere. On particularly cold days in the winter, the road can partly freeze in sections and develop patches of black ice that drivers cannot easily see. Similarly, in the spring, occasional periods of heavy rain can cause drivers to lose traction, hydroplane, and spin out of control.
While bad weather can be dangerous for the driver of any type of vehicle, the risk is magnified with trucks because they are considerably harder to operate. Trucks handle differently and are harder to stop. When a large semi-truck starts to slide or spin, its driver might not be able to prevent it from doing one of the following:
- Rolling over
- Rear-ending the car in front of the truck
- Crashing into a guardrail or other stationary object
- Crashing into one vehicle, which forces it to careen into the car in front of it, leading to a multi-vehicle pileup
- Sideswiping other vehicles in its path by jackknifing, which occurs when the cab of a tractor-trailer comes to a stop, but the trailer continues to move, eventually forming the shape of a folded pocket knife
Experienced local attorneys could investigate a bad weather truck crash in Palm Springs to determine why it happened.
Pursuing a Claim After a Weather-Related Trucking Crash
All drivers owe a duty of care to others on the road to drive responsibly. As part of that duty, motorists must adjust their driving to changing weather conditions. When weather develops that affects driving conditions, drivers should slow down or even pull over to the side of the road. When a truck driver’s failure to adjust their driving to adapt to adverse weather conditions causes an accident, the driver could be liable for any resulting injuries. In addition, if the truck driver continued to drive in fog or heavy rain, the trucking company might also be legally responsible if the driver felt pressure to complete their delivery route because their employer insisted they continue driving in the bad weather.
Our dedicated legal team could thoroughly investigate and gather evidence to pinpoint who is responsible. They could use their skills to build a solid claim for fair compensation for all the losses resulting from the crash. However, according to California Proposition 213, if the injured party was the driver of a vehicle without car insurance, they might not be able to pursue non-economic damages—such as pain and suffering—even if the truck driver or trucking company was at fault. A well-practiced lawyer in Palm Springs could explain how California law might impact the potential recovery of damages following a bad weather truck wreck.
Contact a Palm Springs Attorney Following a Bad Weather Truck Collision
Bad weather truck accidents in Palm Springs can result in devastating injuries. You could face a challenging recovery period. A trusted attorney could help you understand your legal rights and options. They might be able to help you seek financial damages from the at-fault truck driver or their insurance provider. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated legal professional.
