Weather-Related Truck Accident Lawyers in Pennsylvania

Fighting Tirelessly to Maximize Your Recovery

Pennsylvania weather is known for being unpredictable. One minute it can be sunny and dry; the next it can be icy and cold. Wintry weather, hurricanes, and significant rainstorms can cause travel to become treacherous. And yet, all too often, truck drivers continue to barrel down the road at unsafe speeds, putting others on the road at serious risk.

If you were involved in a truck accident in which lousy weather played a factor, it’s important that you have someone to protect your rights against the trucking company. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, our Pennsylvania weather-related truck accident lawyers have decades of experience handling all types of serious and complex truck accidents. With more than $110 million recovered in settlements and verdicts, we are prepared to fight your battle—both in and out of the courtroom. Our goal is to make sure you receive appropriate compensation for your injuries, and we are willing to do everything we can to maximize your claim.

If you or someone you love was involved in a truck accident, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC at (877) 989-4878 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Truck Driving & Bad Weather Don’t Mix

According to the Federal Highway Administration, an average of 5,748,000 motor vehicle accidents occur each year. Of those crashes, about 22% are weather-related. With more and more trucks on our highways, many of these accidents involve tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and delivery trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that the number of fatal truck accidents caused by weather conditions increased between 2014 and 2016 from 3,429 in 2014 to 3,964 in 2016. In 2016, the FMCSA reported that weather conditions caused 104,000 truck accident injuries.

Federal Regulations for Driving in Adverse Conditions

Federal regulations require any driver of a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or another type of large truck to use “extreme caution” when driving in adverse conditions.

The law defines hazardous conditions as:

• Ice and sleet
• Snow
• Fog and mist
• Rain
• Dust
• Smoke

These conditions reduce both a driver’s visibility and tire traction. Truck drivers are required by law to reduce their speed or stop altogether if the conditions become hazardous.

However, there is an exemption to this rule. According to the FMCSA, "If unexpected adverse driving conditions slow you down, you may drive up to two extra hours to complete what could have driven in normal conditions." What this means is that if an unexpected weather event occurs while a truck driver is making a delivery, the driver can still drive up to 13 hours in the conditions. The exemption does not include predicted situations. For example, if a blizzard occurs and it was predicted prior to the first snowflakes begin to fall, then the truck driver must be off the road. However, if there's a sudden ice storm that wasn't predicted beforehand, the truck can legally stay on the road.

Severe weather can cause delays and slow-moving traffic. With delayed travel time, truck drivers may run behind schedule, which can, in turn, lead to careless driving or speeding as drivers attempt to make up for lost time.

Your Options after a Weather-Related Truck Accident

If you get into a truck accident and the cause was weather-related, you must act quickly to protect your rights. Remember, the trucking companies will do anything they can to try to prove you were at fault for the accident. Our Pennsylvania weather-related truck accident lawyers can help you fight back.

You have the option of filling a personal injury claim if you were severely injured in a truck accident caused by negligence. Often, this negligence results from a truck driver attempting to make up for lost time due to adverse weather. Negligence can also happen when truck drivers do not exhibit extreme caution during poor weather. In any case, our firm can investigate your claim in order to determine exactly what happened and who is to blame. We know what to look for, including witness statements and medical records, in order to establish liability and outline the full extent of your damages.

Serving Clients Throughout Pennsylvania & Nationwide

Our firm has a history of success in representing injured truck accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and the United States. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, including more than $25 million for truck accident victims alone. When you turn to our team, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.

In Pennsylvania, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If you fail to bring your claim within the two-year statute of limitations, you will almost certainly be barred from recovering any compensation for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, or wrongful death. We encourage you to reach out to us right away so that we can get started on your case.

Contact our office at (877) 989-4878 or submit an online contact form to schedule your complimentary case evaluation today.