Truck Accidents Caused by High Winds
Driving in high wind conditions can lead to serious and often fatal truck accidents. Strong wind conditions can cause trucks to lose control, overturn, and sway into adjacent lanes or oncoming traffic. Truck drivers and their employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of the public and all those on the road. Failure to do so can result in trucker negligence.
Causes of Trucking Accidents in High Winds
When a large, commercial truck is fully loaded, it can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds. The sheer weight and height of these trucks makes them vulnerable to the effects of high winds. Commercial trucks can get caught in a wind stream that rocks the trailer of the truck, causing it to become unstable. When this happens, there is a high risk of the truck turning over or being pushed into oncoming traffic.
A truck driver or their employer can be held liable for injuries sustained in an accident caused by high winds when the following types of negligence cause the accident.
- Speeding: It is imperative that truck drivers always obey local speed laws. Driving above the speed limit dramatically increases the risk of a serious or fatal truck accident. Speeding during high wind conditions is extremely risky and irresponsible.
- Improper Loading: When tractor trailers are improperly loaded, the cargo can shift in transport. The likelihood of this happening in high wind conditions significantly increases, making it more likely for the truck to sway and roll over.
- Weather Conditions: It is a truck driver’s legal responsibility to adjust their speed, route, or schedule to heed current weather conditions. High winds, snow, sleet, ice, and heavy rain can make driving conditions treacherous. Truckers must ensure the safety of those on the road by slowing down or suspending their route until weather conditions improve.
- Distracted Driving: Any form of distracted driving increases the risk of an accident. Driving while distracted during high wind conditions is a lethal combination. Serious and often fatal trucking accidents occur when truck drivers divert their attention from the road in front of them. Cell phone use, texting, onboard navigation systems, and electronic communication demand the truck driver’s attention and take their focus away from the task of driving.
- Poor Maintenance or Inspection: Trucks that are not properly maintained or regularly inspected are dangerous. Worn brake pads, loose motor parts, and broken lights or signals can result in a catastrophic accident. Truck drivers and their employers can be held liable for accidents that occur due to this type of negligence.
New Brunswick Truck Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Help Victims of Truck Accidents Claim Compensation
If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, the New Brunswick truck accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr can help you claim the compensation you may be entitled to receive. Call us at 732-537-8570 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
Our offices are in Highland Park, New Jersey, and we proudly serve clients in New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
