You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who enjoys driving in the rain or fog, but it’s something almost everyone has to do, including and especially commercial truck drivers. Unfortunately, not all long-haul truckers are as careful while driving through inclement weather as they should be.
Bad weather truck accidents in Norristown can be trickier to take legal action over than other types of truck wrecks because it isn’t always clear who is to blame for causing the crash in the first place. With help from our winning truck accident lawyers, you’ll be able to build a strong civil claim more efficiently and more effectively demand the compensation you need no matter who holds the fault for your crash-related losses.
Who’s Legally at Fault for a Bad Weather Truck Crash?
In addition to following traffic laws, commercial truck drivers have a duty of care to act responsibly and rationally behind the wheel at all times. This means that when the weather is bad enough to significantly reduce traction and visibility, truck drivers are supposed to slow down, turn on their headlights, and be extra careful to keep their truck between the lines and avoid colliding with any other vehicles near theirs.
An individual truck driver may not be the only person who could be legally at fault for a bad weather truck accident in Norristown. It’s often possible to hold a trucking company vicariously liable for negligence by one of their employers, which can increase the total amount of money you’re able to demand for your damages in a practical sense. There may also be other people who play a role in causing this sort of accident to occur—for example, a mechanic who didn’t replace bald tires on a truck like they were supposed to or a local government body that didn’t maintain a road well enough to keep puddles or ice deposits from building up.
Recovering Fairly While Avoiding Comparative Fault
In some situations, the injured person who’s trying to file suit over a Norristown bad weather truck wreck may be partially at fault for their own damages. You have the same duty to drive safely in bad weather, and if you were going too fast for conditions at the same time a trucker was, you may miss out on some of the money you would have otherwise been entitled to recover because of your comparative fault for your own injuries.
Barring that kind of scenario, you can demand restitution after being hurt through someone else’s negligence for every economic and non-economic loss the accident will ever have on you, including:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Medical bills not already covered by insurance, including expected costs of long-term care
- Car repair or replacement costs not already covered by insurance, plus other out-of-pocket expenses like rental car fees
- Lost work wages, benefits, and long-term earning ability
An experienced lawyer’s help can be key to figuring out what losses you should seek recovery for and assigning each one a fair financial value based on your unique needs.
Talk to a Norristown Attorney About a Possible Bad Weather Truck Accident Lawsuit
No two truck accident lawsuits are exactly alike, and that’s especially true for claims based on bad weather truck accidents in Norristown. Fortunately, you have help available from seasoned legal professionals in getting paid what you deserve without getting tripped up by any legal or procedural roadblocks along the way.
Our attorneys can discuss your rights and filing options with you in more specific detail during a private initial meeting. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to learn more.
