Fort Worth Bad Weather Truck Accident Lawyer
Fort Worth roads are susceptible to specific effects of bad weather. People driving on wet, icy roads with poor visibility is very different from the usually good North Texas weather conditions, yet many drivers make no changes to their driving patterns even on interstates, and they may have little experience driving in weather conditions which causes many crashes.
If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle collision involving a tractor-trailer and hazardous weather, a skilled truck accident attorney could help your case. Reach out to a Fort Worth bad weather truck accident lawyer to learn about your eligibility for recovering compensation.
Warning Signs of Bad Weather Accidents
The warning signs a driver might have before a weather-related accident occurs include rainfall. There are a number of ways in which driving in the rain may cause a wreck. For this reason, it is important to drive slower than usual to avoid hydroplaning.
Black ice, freezing temperatures, and precipitation could occur on the highways, so it is important to pay close attention to the road when driving in poor weather conditions. The best way to avoid icy roads is just not to drive in these conditions. Of course, that may not be possible, but drivers should limit their driving as much as possible when road conditions are at their worst. They should avoid overpasses, underpasses, and hills and take alternate routes if possible.
The posted speed limit most likely will be too fast to drive in wet, icy conditions. It is best to avoid erratic braking. The wheels do not have traction on wet roads, so braking and acceleration could cause the tires to skid dangerously out of control. Additionally, drivers should not use cruise control. A driver should be in control of their vehicle at all times.
Steps to Taking Following A Collision
After being involved in a truck accident, it is important that the injured person protect their legal rights. They need to do everything they can to obtain the compensation they deserve. Some of the things they need to do to ensure that they receive compensation include gathering information. If they stay at the scene of the accident and they are not too injured to do so, they should collect information such as the truck’s license plate number, DOT number, and big rig’s parent company. They should take pictures of the aftermath of the accident or weather conditions at the time of the crash.
They should see a doctor after an accident. They need to create an official medical record, and the law firm can use this as evidence in negotiations.
Retain a law firm after an accident with commercial trucks as soon as possible. Once they have a legal team, they will communicate with the insurance company for them, making sure that they do not say anything that could hurt their stances to recover compensation. Furthermore, any delay could result in a loss or destruction of evidence that is important to the case.
Determining Liability for a Truck Collision
Dangerous weather can impact the assignment of fault in a truck accident in Fort Worth. When an insurance company is determining fault, all circumstances of the crash are reviewed. This includes things like inclement weather or hazardous road conditions.
Drivers have a responsibility to keep their vehicle under control no matter what the road conditions. Drivers must take extra precautions when driving in extreme conditions to avoid an accident. Regardless of the road and weather conditions, insurance companies may use their own fault determination. A hazardous weather truck accident lawyer could investigate the cause of the crash and help the plaintiff recover compensation for their damages.
Types of Recoverable Damages
Recoverable damages in a dangerous weather truck accident in Fort Worth can include both economic damages and non-economic damages. With the help of a dangerous weather truck accident lawyer, injured claimants may be eligible to recover compensation for economic damages such as medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Additionally, the plaintiff may be eligible to recover compensation for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience, disfigurement, and impairment.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be sought if the driver was acting recklessly or willful and wanton. It is important to speak with knowledgeable Fort Worth bad weather truck accident attorney to learn about the various types of damages an injured plaintiff may be eligible to recover.
Let a Fort Worth Bad Weather Truck Accidents Attorney Help
A lawyer can help a client who was involved in a truck accident due to poor weather conditions. A diligent attorney can determine where another driver or entity was partially responsible for the injuries and damages to the vehicle. One of the defenses that trucking companies use to evade responsibility for an accident is to blame the weather conditions. However, truck drivers must safely operate their vehicles regardless of the climate. A lawyer can look into all federal and state regulations to ensure that injured claimants receive the compensation they need to move forward.
Call today to learn more about how a Fort Worth bad weather truck accident lawyer could help your case.