Indian Land’s weather can shift quickly. Heavy rain, thick fog, strong winds, and ice patches create dangerous driving conditions, especially on busy, high-speed roadways such as Interstate 77, U.S. 521, and Highway 5. When hazardous road conditions combine with an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck, the consequences can be devastating.

When you need a weather-related truck accident lawyer, the team at David Blackwell Law can help. We have extensive experience tackling complicated weather-related truck accident cases and holding the negligent parties responsible. Let us fight for your rights while you focus on recovery.

Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation with an experienced Indian Land truck accident attorney.

Why Choose David Blackwell Law for Your Truck Accident Case?

The stakes are high with your truck accident case, and you want to make sure you put it in trustworthy hands. Here are just a few reasons why the team at David Blackwell Law would make an excellent choice:

Decades of Experience

Adverse weather truck driving accident cases are complicated, and recovering the compensation you deserve requires deep knowledge and extensive experience. David Blackwell Law has been protecting the rights of injured South Carolinians for over 26 years. Our team is well-prepared to take on every aspect of your case, and we know how to win.

A Substantial Track Record

Attorney David Blackwell takes great pride in the financial stability he has helped his clients regain after devastating injuries left them facing massive medical bills and uncertain futures. Our team has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.

A Strong Reputation

While our case results may speak for themselves, we believe the kind words of our former clients speak even louder. For example, one of our past clients wrote:

“Being in an auto accident is a life-changing experience. Life-altering injuries, property damage, missed work, and medical bills only contribute to an already stressful situation. David Blackwell Law stood up for me and guided me through the entire process, ensuring that I received fair compensation to secure my future.” – Ralph Hotham Jr.

Aggressive Advocacy

Insurance companies fight to protect their profits by weakening claims any way they can. Our experienced truck accident lawyer can turn the tables on them, countering their tactics and refusing to back down when they attempt to shortchange you with inadequate settlement offers. Our law firm is fully prepared to take your case to trial and fight for a favorable verdict, if necessary.

How Weather Conditions Contribute to Truck Accidents

Rain, fog, ice, and wind create hazards for all motorists, but the danger becomes far more serious when a driver is operating an 80,000-pound commercial truck. Here are some examples of how weather contributes to truck accidents:

  • Rain and standing water – Wet roads reduce tire traction. A loaded semi-truck can hydroplane or jackknife easily if the driver does not slow down in rainy or wet conditions.
  • Fog and low visibility – It is already difficult for truck drivers to see all the vehicles around them, given the sheer size of their trucks. When fog reduces visibility even further, accidents become far more likely, especially when truckers fail to slow down to account for limited visibility.
  • Ice and snow – Even a light glaze of ice can make roadways slick. If a commercial truck loses traction on an icy or snowy road, it can easily create a devastating and possibly even deadly path of destruction.
  • High winds – Commercial trucks are typically top-heavy, some significantly more than others. Strong gusts can push the trailers of these top-heavy vehicles across lanes or even cause a catastrophic rollover accident.

Does Bad Weather Excuse a Truck Driver from Liability?

No. Bad weather does not automatically excuse a truck driver from liability in an accident. In fact, harsh weather increases the driver’s responsibility for keeping those around them safe. Drivers must adjust their behavior by reducing speed, maintaining a safe following distance, using their lights, and possibly even pulling over until the harsh weather clears.

When truck drivers do not adjust to weather conditions and truck accidents occur, their behavior may constitute negligence, and they may be liable for any damage they cause.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Weather-Related Truck Accident?

Weather-related truck accident liability is often a complicated issue. Several parties may bear responsibility, including:

  • Truck drivers – The commercial truck driver may bear responsibility if they were speeding, distracted, impaired, or ignoring adverse weather truck driving protocol, for example.
  • Trucking companies – Trucking companies must follow strict federal and state safety regulations when hiring and training drivers and maintaining their commercial motor vehicles. If they fail to properly train drivers in handling bad weather or neglect maintenance, they may be liable for any accidents that result. They may also be vicariously liable for the negligence of their employee drivers.
  • Maintenance contractors – Poor maintenance can significantly elevate the risk of weather-related truck accidents. If contractors fail to repair or replace worn tires or defective brakes and the truck and an accident occurs on wet or icy roads due to that failure, they may be at fault for any resulting injuries.
  • Vehicle or part manufacturers – If a defective or malfunctioning part caused or contributed to the accident, you may have a valid product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller.

Does Insurance Cover Weather-Related Accidents?

Yes. Most commercial truck policies cover weather-related crashes. However, that does not mean the insurer will happily pay you the compensation you deserve. Insurers will fight to reduce your payout any way they can, and they frequently attempt to call weather-related accidents “acts of God” to avoid liability.

The “act of God” argument often falls apart under scrutiny, but you will need a skilled weather-related truck accident lawyer to assert your rights. The team at David Blackwell Law can investigate the accident to determine whether issues like these played a role:

  • The driver was not operating at a safe, reduced speed in response to the hazardous weather conditions.
  • The driver was not maintaining a safe following distance or exercising extreme caution in inclement weather.
  • The trucking company failed to properly maintain the vehicle to handle dangerous weather conditions.
  • The trucking company pressured the driver to ignore storm warnings and break safety rules.

Adverse conditions may contribute to truck accidents, but negligence in responding to severe weather is almost always a factor. Attorney David Blackwell is ready to work to identify negligence and hold the at-fault party accountable.

Get in Touch with Our Indian Land Truck Accident Lawyer

Bad weather does not excuse negligent driving, and you should never be left to foot the bill for an accident you did not cause. The team at David Blackwell Law wants to be your fiercest ally as you seek justice and fair compensation for your injuries after a weather-related truck accident.

Contact us today for your free consultation.