Driving in the rain can be more hazardous than driving on a clear, dry day. When you add heavy trucks to the equation, big rig accidents are more likely to occur.
Of the more than 5 million motor vehicle crashes that occur every year, 10% of all crashes and 8% of all fatalities are due to the rain.1
According to the lawyers who handle big rig accidents, many of these big rig wreck incidents are due to the increased hazard of driving around heavy trucks in the rain.
Poor Visibility
Whenever it rains, visibility of the road and surroundings decreases for all drivers, including the drivers of tractor trailers.
The harder it rains, the worse visibility can get, which is a common cause of big rig accidents.
This is often the case when passenger vehicles are driven in a truck driver’s blind spots.
It can be hard enough for a driver to see around those blind spots in the first place.
Rain only makes it more difficult for them to see if anyone is in their way when they are trying to change lanes, turn, or make some other maneuver.
Staying clear of the four blind spots that surround heavy trucks is critical in preventing big rig wrecks every day, but especially so in the rain.
Heavy Winds and Slippery Roads
Wind frequently comes with rain. Big rig accident lawyers know from experience that wind can create highly dangerous conditions for large trucks on the highways.
Because they are so tall and broad, tractor trailers can be easily blown around on slippery roads.
Strong enough gusts can slide trucks around on the highway and out of their lanes or even cause serious rollover big rig accidents.
Again, while it is always important to give big trucks plenty of room on a windy day or when the roads are slick, it is even more important to do so when it is raining.
Inconsistent Traffic Speeds
Rainy, wet, and windy conditions tend to cause drivers of smaller, lighter vehicles to slow down and brake more often.
Frequent or sudden braking in these conditions is another common cause of big rig wrecks in the rain.
Big rig accident lawyers find that the inconsistency of traffic flow and speeds can become an additional hazard for all vehicles, increasing the chance of collisions.
In an attempt to avoid crashes due to inconsistent traffic, most heavy truck drivers divert to the left lane where they can travel at a consistent pace.
Drivers who see trucks moving to the left should always yield to them and then stay out of the left lane to avoid the dangers of traveling between trucks.
Be Careful When Driving In The Rain!
When driving in the rain, you should keep in mind that your vehicle is not the only one affected by rain, wind, and slick roads.
The chance of big rig accidents increases substantially in the rain when trucks become less stable on the road.
Big rig accident lawyers who see these kinds of accident cases regularly warn that the best way to avoid big rig wrecks is to drive your car defensively and give large trucks plenty of room.
Avoid situations where you could be hit if a truck gets blown over, slides into your lane, or the driver is unable to see you due to reduced visibility!
Hildebrand & Wilson, Attorneys at Law
7930 Broadway, Suite 122
Pearland TX 77581
1U.S.Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Road Weather Management Program: How Do Weather Events Impact Roads?, February 1, 2017
