Even when it’s not raining and weather conditions are fine, the risk of being involved in a truck accident in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California is extremely high.
There is an increased risk of getting into a truck crash in Los Angeles because the second most populous city in the U.S. is home to some of the most congested roads in the nation.
Driving a truck in Los Angeles can be quite dangerous even under normal weather conditions, so you can only imagine how dangerous it becomes when it rains in our city.
Why truck accidents occur when it rains in Los Angeles
The most common reason why truck accidents occur under poor weather conditions is because truck drivers have no idea how to drive safely in wet and rainy conditions.
So does it mean that truck drivers can always be held solely responsible for truck accidents when it’s raining in Los Angeles? “Not at all,” says our Los Angeles truck accident lawyer at Compass Law Group, P.C.
When it rains, there is a much greater responsibility to drive safely, because wet and rainy conditions pose a larger threat to truck drivers and other motorists on the road than normal. While such illegal maneuvers as speeding, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, and abrupt braking pose threat under normal weather conditions, when these maneuvers are combined with wet and rainy conditions it’s basically a disaster waiting to happen.
Rain does not limit a negligent driver’s liability
Our truck accident attorney in Los Angeles reminds our readers that rain does not reduce a truck driver’s obligation to drive safely nor does it limit a negligent driver’s responsibility for causing a truck crash. So when you hear the at-fault truck driver blame slick or wet road conditions or poor visibility for the accident, do not let him or her get off the hook.
You are entitled to seeking compensation for your injury caused by the truck driver’s negligent acts or omission to act regardless of whether weather conditions caused or contributed to the crash. Some of you might be wondering how rain can cause or contribute to truck accidents in Los Angeles. Let us explain.
Visibility and slick road conditions are a disaster waiting to happen
When it rains, the risk of getting into a truck crash increases tenfold for two reasons: poor visibility and slick road conditions.
Rain can make it difficult to remain vigilant of one’s surroundings and traffic because of poor visibility. Combine poor visibility caused by rain and those large blind spots in commercial trucks, and it immediately become a deadly combination.
Add slick road conditions to the mix, and the likelihood of avoiding a truck crash hinges solely on how safely truckers and other motorists operate their vehicles when it rains. Road surfaces tend to become wet and slippery when it’s raining in Los Angeles. As a result, it affects the braking distance and takes longer for vehicles to come to a complete stop.
In fact, those wet and slick road conditions can cause your vehicle to hydroplane, which is when a vehicle loses contact with the road surface and the driver loses control of his or her vehicle. Our Los Angeles truck accident attorney explains that hydroplaning is the leading cause of truck crashes when it’s raining in our city.
More often than not, you will have to talk to an experienced lawyer to determine fault in a truck accident occurring under poor weather conditions. It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be responsible for causing a truck accident when it rains in Los Angeles. Also, do not forget about the potential liability of the trucking company or another party responsible for maintenance of the truck (poorly maintained trucks are even more likely to cause collisions when it rains).
