Wet Winter Weather and Decreased Daylight Increase Truck Accident Risks in Atlanta
While Georgia generally gets only a flurry of snow in the winter, there’s plenty of wet, cold weather. This can make for dangerous road conditions, increasing the likelihood of truck accidents in Atlanta. Shorter days only increase the risks.
Winter driving conditions can make it difficult for truckers to maintain control over their rigs or see the road and other drivers. Our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer wants you to know the risks this winter season and how to protect yourself on the road.
How Winter Driving Conditions Contribute To Atlanta Truck Accidents
The Georgia Department of Transportation reports that nearly 15 percent of all crashes in the state are weather-related. Decreased daylight hours make roads even more treacherous during the wet winter season, particularly for Georgia truck drivers.
Common ways wintry conditions increase Atlanta truck accident risks include:
- Reduced daylight hours mean more driving occurs in low-visibility conditions.
- Fog and mist, common during Atlanta winters, obscure visibility.
- Rain-slick roads reduce tire grip and increase the risk of hydroplaning.
- Glare from headlights or wet pavement can impair reaction time.
- Longer stopping distances for trucks on wet roads increase the risk of rear-end crashes.
Between increased darkness, wet weather, and the holiday season, Atlanta truck accidents pose significant hazards over winter, particularly on I-285, I-75, I-85, and local routes like Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
How to Reduce Atlanta Truck Accident Risks This Winter
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warns truck drivers to be extra cautious while driving over the winter months. Failure to take precautions increases the likelihood of truck accidents in Atlanta, which can cause devastating injuries for motorists involved.
To protect yourself and reduce your risk, our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer recommends these tips:
- Give truckers plenty of space on the road and avoid tailgating or improper passing.
- Stay out of truck no-zones, which are large blind spots that make it even harder for truckers to see you.
- Realize that wet road conditions make it harder to maintain control of commercial vehicles and give truckers less time to react.
- Watch for trucks turning wide at intersections or merging onto highways.
If you are hurt in an Atlanta truck accident this winter, notify the police, gather any evidence you can from the scene (photos, witness statements), and get medical care. Trucking companies and their insurers often try to minimize or deny claims by blaming the weather, but you can still hold them accountable for reckless behavior that puts you at risk.
Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer To Protect Your Rights In An Injury Claim
Winter weather increases the risk of truck accidents in Atlanta. However, reckless behavior on the part of truckers, trucking companies, or even other motorists involved is often ultimately to blame.
Shiver Hamilton Campbell helps victims get the justice and compensation they deserve. We protect the rights of clients in Roswell, Marietta, Decatur, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, and all of Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb Counties. To request a consultation, contact our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer today.
Sources:
ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/roadimpact.htm
fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-too-fast-conditions
