Atlanta Environmental Factors Lawyer
Environmental conditions are a leading contributing factor to motor vehicle accidents — including commercial trucking accidents. Drivers should respond appropriately when dangerous conditions are present. Failing to do so can lead to serious injury or even death. Please contact us online or call Ponton Law today at: (404) 418-8501 if you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a commercial truck driver who was driving recklessly when environmental factors made for dangerous conditions.
Environmental Factors That Can Lead to Truck Accidents
Environmental factors can seriously impact the operation of vehicles. This is especially true for commercial trucks which are larger and more difficult to control than our smaller vehicles. Dangerous environmental factors must be considered and accounted for by all drivers. Environmental conditions that can lead to or contribute to accidents include:
- Slippery or Slick Roads. Roads can become unsafe when ice, snow, or debris is present.
- View Obstructions. Trees, signs, and other objects located near roadways can block driver vision.
- Signs/Signals. When guides such as signs become damaged or otherwise inoperative, driving becomes more difficult and dangerous.
- Road Design. A road not designed to handle the traffic volume or speed creates an unsafe environment.
- Atmospheric. Conditions, such as fog, rain, sunlight, or snow make driving more difficult and can impair a driver’s ability to react to dangers.
Commercial truck drivers must be aware of their surroundings – including environmental conditions – and take appropriate steps to remain as safe as possible.
What Should Truck Drivers Do if Environmental Factors Create Unsafe Driving Conditions?
If environmental conditions are too dangerous a truck driver should attempt to find another route or stop safely. However, there are other steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks.
- Reduce Speed. The combination of speed and unsafe road conditions can lead to disaster. Truck drivers facing environmental factors creating a dangerous situation must slow down. Speed reduces a truck driver’s ability to react to changes.
- Increase Space. Commercial truck drivers can also make the roadways safer by increasing the space between themselves and other drivers. Following too closely behind another driver can prevent the following driver from being able to stop quickly.
- Use Safety Features. Trucks are designed to handle different types of road conditions. It is important that drivers use all available safety features, such as headlights and windshield wipers, to ensure that the truck is handling conditions in the best possible manner.
Truck drivers must be aware of the limitations of their trucks. This may mean that the driver does not drive at all. Truck drivers and the companies they work for should not be allowed to put you and your family in unnecessary danger.
What Should I Do if Environmental Factors Caused Someone to Hit Me?
Contact us today if you have been injured in a truck accident. It is important to get you the medical and legal attention you deserve as quickly as possible.
If dangerous conditions contributed to the accident, it is important that we know about them. After an accident, if you are able to do so, without further injury or putting yourself in danger, take pictures of the accident and be sure to include the environmental conditions. For example, if snow or ice was present, you will want to try to get images showing these conditions.
Contacting Ponton Law
Contact attorney James Ponton today to discuss your truck accident. Mr. Ponton has dedicated his practice to helping protect those injured by the recklessness of others. Ponton Law has the experience and dedication to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. Please contact us online or call Ponton Law today at: (404) 860-2454.