Bad Weather Truck Accidents in San Antonio
While commercial vehicle corporations implement many safeguards to ensure that their vehicles and employees operate properly, there is not much that a company can do to account for inclement weather conditions. Natural hazards could, unfortunately, result in a truck crash that leaves drivers or passengers with severe injuries. However, anyone harmed in this kind of wreck usually has options for pursuing financial compensation, depending on their insurance and the nature of the accident.
If you were involved in a bad weather truck accident in San Antonio, a skilled commercial vehicle collision lawyer can investigate the crash, help prove that unexpected inclement conditions caused you to lose control, and fight to protect your rights.
Common Causes of Bad Weather Crashes
There are many different factors unique to the area that could cause dangerous weather conditions and lead to a sudden wreck. For instance, in San Antonio, there are many rolling hills that are susceptible to flooding. This could cause hydroplaning that results in a truck sliding, flipping, or jackknifing. In the winter, icy or snowy roads could also cause a tractor trailer driver to lose control and crash their vehicle.
Meanwhile, heavy rain or fog could lead to reduced visibility. These dangerous situations give a trucker much less time to react to other vehicles, environmental hazards, or wildlife.
Since trucks are so heavy and bulky, they are slow to accelerate, turn, brake, and stop. This means that any inclement weather condition is more hazardous for a tractor trailer than it would be for a standard car. Any day with bad weather could prove particularly dangerous, even for the most seasoned trucker.
A knowledgeable attorney in San Antonio can further explain what kind of bad weather might cause a truck to crash, to help a commercial vehicle driver understand how to take the proper precautions.
What Happens if a Truck is the Only Vehicle Involved in a Bad Weather Wreck?
If inclement weather conditions were the only factor that caused a tractor trailer accident, a court might determine that the wreck was unavoidable or an “act of God.” It would be labeled a no-fault crash. Fortunately, commercial vehicle drivers usually still have options for pursuing monetary damages when this happens.
If a client has full insurance coverage on their vehicle, a tenacious legal representative can help them move forward with a claim. However, doing so generally requires an attorney to prove that bad weather undoubtedly caused the crash. To establish this, legal counsel can assess the collision scene. They can send an investigator to take photographs, look for skid marks, inspect the truck, download “black box” data, see if dashcam footage is available, and obtain weather reports to conclude the conditions at the time. Any of these actions could reveal valuable information about the cause of the bad weather truck accident, so a well-practiced lawyer in San Antonio can make all the difference.
Available Damages in Bad Weather Truck Wreck Accident Cases
Even when bad weather is the only factor that causes a tractor trailer crash, an injured plaintiff can usually collect compensation for the incident when they properly prove the cause. Monetary damages in these cases can be substantial and aim to repay a plaintiff for setbacks like:
- Property damage
- Physical suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Extended medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Diminished enjoyment of daily life
- Permanent disfigurement
Any of these complications could be incredibly stressful, but financial compensation could help a wounded trucker get back on their feet. A resourceful attorney in San Antonio understands how these cases work and can fight to maximize the compensation that their client collects after an inclement weather truck crash.
Contact an Attorney about Bad Weather Truck Accidents in San Antonio
Since nobody can control the weather, an unexpected change in conditions or an severe storm could cause a tractor trailer wreck that leaves a driver with costly injuries. At the very least, a trucker can usually still pursue monetary damages if they retain the right legal representative and have an adequate insurance policy.
Your bad weather truck accident in San Antonio deserves the attention of a well-practiced lawyer, so do not hesitate to reach out for help. A legal team member can determine what happened, investigate the scene, and make sure you collect adequate compensation. Call the office today to get started on your case.
