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5001 SW 9th St
Des Moines, Iowa 50315
Tractor-trailer Accidents Caused by Weather — Iowa Personal Injury Lawyer
Many tractor-trailer accidents in Iowa and across the country can be avoided if drivers and trucking companies simply heed guidelines regulating safe operation in hazardous weather conditions. Severe weather can be enough for even the driver of a small passenger car to avoid the road until the storm has cleared; however, many truck drivers are under pressure to deliver shipments of goods and services to specific places as quickly as possible. This can lead some drivers of large trucks to travel in unsafe conditions, dramatically raising the risk of colliding with cars or objects on the roadways, as well as overturning or jackknifing.
Hazardous Weather and Large Trucks
When large trucks, semi's, 18-wheelers and the like travel roads that are too slick or icy, the odds of slipping are exponentially magnified and tractor-trailer accidents can occur. High winds are capable of whipping heavily-laden trucks around the road, as well as making safely maneuvering the vehicle even more of a challenge. Thick fog can also make it difficult not only for truck drivers to see what's in front of them, but for other drivers to see the truck. Conditions such as these make it imperative that truck drivers obey current regulations mandating them to pull off the roadways when severe weather makes it unsafe for them to travel.
Some weather conditions and other hazards that contribute to poor visibility or dangerous driving conditions and potentially lead to tractor-trailer accidents include:
- Snow
- Ice
- Rain
- Fog
- Sleet
- Smoke
- Dust
- Wind
- Mist
Driving with the knowledge of potentially catastrophic weather conditions such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods is also extremely dangerous.
Our tractor-trailer accidents attorney in Iowa understands that drivers are required by federal law to use extreme caution in situations that could be construed as hazardous, such as those outlined above. Truck drivers are expected to drive to the nearest safe place in these conditions, and resume travel only when hazardous conditions have cleared.
Contact Our Tractor-trailer Accidents Attorney
Fredd J. Haas is an experienced personal injury attorney who knows the laws concerning tractor-trailer accidents. Serving Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota and beyond, Mr. Haas can pursue compensation in areas such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages in cases where truckers driving in unsafe weather have caused devastating accidents. Mr. Haas can also work to attain financial damages in areas including funeral expenses and loss of companionship for accidents that have resulted in wrongful death. For a consultation and a review of your case, contact our truck accident lawyer today.