Anyone who has lived through a Lewiston-Auburn winter knows that inclement weather is not unusual. Snow, ice, rain, and fog can make driving dangerous, particularly for top-heavy vehicles like tractor-trailers.
When you have been injured in a bad weather truck accident in Auburn, our team can help you in the aftermath. A seasoned semi crash attorney can examine the incident and determine whether financial compensation for your injuries and losses may be available. Do not wait to get in touch with our team at Gideon Asen, LLC today.
Is There a Liable Party in Bad Weather Collisions?
When dangerous weather is a factor in a Lewiston-Auburn truck crash, this does not mean it is the primary cause. Drivers, including truckers, owe other motorists on the road a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonable and careful manner. If they do not, and their lack of care causes harm, they are legally and financially responsible for compensating the injured party for their losses.
Determining negligence requires looking at the context of the accident. Someone driving on icy roads must operate their vehicle in a way that a reasonable person would, which typically means going slower or not driving at all.
Federal law states in 49 Code of Federal Regulations § 392.14 that commercial drivers must exercise extreme caution when there are hazardous conditions and pull over in some instances until the weather improves.
The conditions may be so bad and unexpected that a driver has no control or time to react, but this is rare. Most often, negligent behavior plays a role in weather-related crashes. A dedicated personal injury lawyer can help to determine whether a trucker acted with sufficient care and caution given the road conditions.
Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Even if it is clear a trucker caused a wreck, as opposed to Auburn’s inclement weather, determining liability can still be challenging. There are many parties and entities involved in commercial vehicle operations that could hold partial responsibility, including:
- The trucker– if the driver failed to adapt to road conditions or was distracted or intoxicated at the time of the collision
- The trucking company – if it failed to provide proper training or resources to the driver, or if its policies encouraged them to drive in dangerous weather to meet their quotas
- The truck’s maintenance company– if it failed to ensure that the tires, steering, and braking systems were in good condition to handle hazardous weather
- The local government where the crash occurred – if it failed to properly maintain roads after severe weather, contributing to the accident
An attorney who represents clients injured in tractor-trailer wrecks can help identify the responsible parties and determine whether compensation is obtainable.
Learn More About Auburn Bad Weather Truck Accidents Today
When you or a loved one has been involved in a bad weather truck accident in Auburn, you should be focusing on recovery. Trying to navigate the complexity of a personal injury case is challenging on your own. A lawyer can help you analyze the cause of a wreck and protect your rights by holding the liable party responsible for your damages and losses.
Schedule an initial consultation with an attorney at Gideon Asen, LLC today. Let us take on the task of helping you obtain compensation.
