Weather-Related Trucking Hazards and How to Avoid Them in NJ
Large trucks are prone to serious crash risks in bad weather such as rain, snow, ice and high winds. Commercial trucks are already inherently dangerous due to their size and weight. In certain weather conditions, they become even more difficult for truck drivers to safely control – resulting in higher odds of trucking accidents in New Jersey.
Most Dangerous Weather Conditions for Large Trucks
Commercial trucks were involved in 6,050 fatal accidents in 2022 (the most recent year data is available). Truck accidents occur for many reasons, from truck driver negligence to poor truck maintenance.
Large trucks require more time to stop, have large blind spots and need to make wide turns to accommodate their trailers. Bad weather can make operating an 18-wheeler even more difficult. Weather conditions can reduce braking efficiency, diminish road visibility and pose other unique hazards to trucking.
Wet Pavement
According to the Federal Highway Administration, “rain or mist” is the number one cause of motor vehicle crashes that occur in inclement weather. Wet precipitation was responsible for 73 percent of all weather-related accidents from 2013 to 2022.
When a large truck hits wet pavement, this can make the truck’s tires lose traction (hydroplaning) and the truck driver lose control of the vehicle. It already takes big rigs longer to stop than smaller cars; on wet roads, braking power is diminished even further.
Snow and Ice
“Freezing precipitation” is the second leading cause of weather-related traffic accidents (21 percent). In big rig trucking, snow or ice on the roads can lock up the truck’s tires and cause it to lose traction. This can make the truck slide out of control, jackknife or potentially roll over. When snow is forecast in New Jersey, large trucks may need to be outfitted with winter tires or snow chains.
Severe Crosswinds
The high profile of a tractor-trailer makes it especially vulnerable to windy conditions. Severe crosswinds in New Jersey can force a truck off-balance and lead to tip-over or rollover accidents. High winds (over 25 miles per hour) are especially likely to tip trailers in open spaces, such as plains and bridges.
How to Avoid a Truck Accident in Bad Weather
Other extreme weather conditions can also be dangerous for large trucks in New Jersey, including mist and fog that impede visibility, high temperatures that can lead to trucks overheating, and extreme cold that can cause mechanical failures.
Big rig truckers are required to take weather conditions into consideration when operating their trucks. They must be informed about predicted storms and inclement weather and adjust their driving accordingly. This typically involves speed reductions, increased following distances from other vehicles, and turning on their lights and wipers.
Federal regulations require truck drivers to stop if weather conditions become too dangerous. Truckers should stop in safe areas away from the road and wait for conditions to improve before continuing. Truck drivers are permitted to exceed their hours-of-service regulations if bad weather impedes their driving.
Who Pays for a Truck Accident Caused By Weather in New Jersey?
Drivers may not be able to control the weather, but they are expected to alter the way they drive to adapt to dangerous road and weather conditions. If a truck driver fails to reduce speed and drive safely in hazardous weather conditions, the truck driver and/or trucking company could be held responsible for a related traffic accident in New Jersey. Work with an experienced personal injury attorney in New Jersey to get assistance with this type of injury claim.