Recent high winds in Texas have caused several semi-trucks to blow over on various highways and roads in the Amarillo area. If winds are causing, roughly, 80,000 pound vehicles to rollover, you can imagine what it’s doing to smaller, lighter vehicles.
There are a small pool of accidents that cannot be blamed on either, or any, driver involved in an accident. This may be due to unkempt roads, debris, falling trees or sign posts, natural disasters and more. Heavy winds fall under this category. There may be instances where it is up to local organizations or government to provide safe roads and infrastructure, but some conditions are out of human control.
Examples of accidents that are not driver’s faults are:
- Faulty Traffic Lights
- Animals
- Potholes
- Natural Disasters and/or Natural Hazards
- Ex: Hail or Wind
- Debris
- Missing Stop Signs
The only time a semi-truck or big-rig truck may be at fault during naturally occurring elements such as heavy rain are if they are not properly maintained. When a truck is not properly kept up-to-date then they may be at fault for any damage or accidents that occur.
Speeding: Truck drivers should never speed. The mass and weight of their vehicle can be up to 80,000 pounds. Especially during inclement weather, speeding can create a major hazard for other vehicles. Speeding also makes it much more difficult for large trucks to brake, as 18-wheelers cannot brake the way smaller, lighter vehicles can. Speeding related accidents will often be the fault of the truck, or whoever was speeding, if involved in an accident.
Road Work: Trucking accidents that are caused by faulty roads or non-maintained highways are often the fault of a third-party, whether it be the city or even a construction company that was involved in planning. However, if a truck is not well-maintained and that is the reason that they were unable to maneuver a road, the fault may fall on the driver and/or trucking company.
Truck Maintenance: Truck companies and drivers are legally responsible for maintaining their vehicles. Regardless of the length of their trip, they must always upkeep their truck, as well as keep records of all maintenance.
As stated previously, natural disasters happen. People cannot predict rain or wind speeds that would put drivers in danger. However, it is up to everyone to create as safe of an environment as possible for themselves and everyone else on the road.
If you have recently been in an accident due to the negligence of a truck driver or company, reach out to Buckingham & Vega for Texas and New Mexico’s best truck wreck lawyers for the best representation for you and your family.