With average winter temperatures below freezing and precipitation reaching around 25 inches in December through February, Connecticut has extreme cold weather conditions that can easily make driving dangerous. It’s not just the winter months that pose a threat to drivers, though. Wind, rain, fog, and hail also make conditions hazardous year-round.
For truck drivers in Connecticut, bad weather is something to be especially cautious about, considering the increased difficulty of operating a large truck. Accidents involving commercial vehicles like tractor-trailers, cement trucks, and box trucks often cause catastrophic injuries, and if you are among the many people injured by a negligent truck driver, you deserve fair compensation for your damages.
The truck accident attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have over 100 combined years of experience advocating for injured clients after bad weather truck accidents in Connecticut. We can help you hold the at-fault driver responsible and fight for your right to recover financial damages.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2020, there were 4,444 fatal crashes involving large trucks and around 101,000 crashes that caused injuries. Of those, 32.7% occurred in less-than-ideal weather conditions, such as fog, rain, and severe crosswinds. There is an increased risk of collision for any type of vehicle when driving in inclement weather, but the probability of a large truck being impacted by these conditions is much higher.
A crosswind occurs when the wind blows perpendicular to the movement of the truck. Because of their large size and the extensive surface area of cargo trailers, these winds make it difficult for truck drivers to control their vehicles. Crosswinds can lead to truck rollovers, sideswipe accidents, T-bone collisions, and numerous other types of crashes.
Precipitation includes any type of weather condition that falls from the sky, such as rain, sleet, snow, and hail. Wintery weather conditions in Connecticut can lead to treacherous roads, but even rain requires extra caution, especially when operating a vehicle as large and dangerous as a commercial truck. Precipitation often makes roads slippery, which means a truck that already has a long stopping distance requires even more space. It’s also easier to lose control when driving on wet and icy roads.
Connecticut truck drivers operating their vehicles in bad weather conditions should be cognizant of how various types of weather will affect their driving. Inclement weather can create a myriad of dangerous conditions, including poor visibility. Heavy rains, snowstorms, and dense fog can reduce visibility, which impacts reaction time.
Slippery roads caused by ice, snow, and rain require adjusted driving behaviors. The FMCSA suggests that truck drivers reduce their speed by one-third when driving on wet roads and by one-half when on snowy roads.
Our attorneys are familiar with the federal regulations and state laws that apply to truck drivers, and we have been helping victims seek compensation for bad weather truck accidents in Connecticut for over a combined century. We have the legal acumen you need and the caring dedication you deserve. Contact D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, today to schedule a free consultation.