New Braunfels, TX Attorney for Inadequate Reflectors and Low Visibility Accidents

Representation for Low Visibility Accidents in New Braunfels, TX

Conditions that cause poor visibility, such as fog, or heavy rain or snow, require extra caution on the part of every driver. It is especially more important for semitruck drivers to be particularly diligent when there is low visibility on the roadways. Big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and when they are involved in truck wrecks with passenger vehicles, the results can be devastating. At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we work with drivers and passengers who are injured in these collisions, helping them determine who was responsible and working to recover compensation for their damages.

Lights and Reflectors for Big Rigs

Due to their larger size, 18-wheelers are required to employ safety mechanisms in addition to those on the standard passenger vehicle. This includes multiple sets of lights and a specific number of reflectors on the sides and back of the truck. Trucking companies are required by federal law to install the right type and the correct number of reflectors in specific locations on the trucks in their fleet.

When this is not done, the trucking operators may be held liable for any resulting truck crash. However, lights and reflectors alone are not enough to prevent a truck accident caused by poor visibility, especially when it is combined with another truck crash risk factor such as driver fatigue or dangerous roads.

Can a Truck Driver Be Liable if You Crashed Into the Tractor-Trailer?

We often think of truck accidents as collisions caused by truck drivers who crash into smaller vehicles. However, truck drivers and trucking companies may also be to blame when smaller vehicles crash into their big rigs. The required lights and reflectors on a tractor-trailer are necessary so that other drivers can see the vehicle in low-visibility conditions or when the truck may be stalled on the highway and unable to move.

These safety mechanisms are only effective if drivers can see them. Some trucks are so dirty that their reflectors are essentially useless. Similarly, truck drivers sometimes fail to check that all of their lights are in working order. If you were to smash into a truck because these safety devices were not working or were not fully visible, the truck driver and trucking company could be liable for the crash.

Decreased Visibility Requires Extra Caution

It is critical for truck drivers to use good judgment when determining whether or not to stay on the road when visibility is extremely limited due to weather conditions. Additionally, trucks can face limited visibility due to other conditions, such as very steep or winding roads.

In these situations, semitruck operators are responsible for making adjustments in their driving to accommodate their limited visibility. They can be held legally responsible for any truck accident resulting from their lack of attention to these details.

Are Truck Drivers Required to Drive Defensively?

Every driver owes a duty of care to others on the road. This means driving in a manner that reduces the risk of an accident. Truck drivers have an even greater responsibility to drive defensively because of the size of their vehicles and the fact that they are professional, commercial drivers. Some accidents may be caused by aggressive driving, including in situations where truck drivers travel at unsafe speeds in low-visibility conditions.

When visibility is low due to weather, changes in terrain, or other factors, truck drivers need to make the decision to slow down, pull off the road, and otherwise ensure that they are alert enough to keep driving. These decisions can be difficult, because they will likely delay the delivery of the cargo and cost the driver money. However, those losses are nothing compared to the damages caused by a truck accident.

Contact Our New Braunfels Semitruck Accident Lawyer

Many Texas truck crashes that result from poor visibility and/or a lack of proper reflectors could have been prevented. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Texas, contact The Bettersworth Law Firm in New Braunfels for a no-obligation consultation. We provide efficient and effective legal representation to truck accident victims and their families. Call 830-606-0404 today.