--- description: Contact our Washington, DC truck accident attorneys to file a claim caused by poor weather conditions. We have more than 85 years of legal experience. title: Weather Conditions | DC Truck Accident Lawyer --- Weather Conditions | DC Truck Accident Lawyer # Poor Weather Conditions Last Updated: September 5, 2024 Reading Time: 2 minutes Trusted Content ### Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 2 years ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/) » [Common Causes Of Truck Accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/) » Poor Weather Conditions What's On This Page ## [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $3 Million Truck Crash $1.8 Million Truck Crash $1.4 Million Truck Crash $1.25 Million Truck Crash $900,000 Truck Crash $750,000 Truck Crash ## [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) ## [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) I would never worry again if they are on the case. Tilwanda Dofat Personal Injury They held my hand through the entire process. Meraf Mitchell They paved the way for a brighter future. Sheree Whitby I’m greeted with a hug every time I come. Sheba Halliburton Personal Injury They are always was available for any of my concerns. Teresa Morring Your office has taken care of us every step. Shyama Personal Injury ## Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Video Transcript Ira Sherman: The operator of a tractor trailer has a special responsibility because that, as a weapon, is way more powerful than an automobile could be if it struck you in the rear or anywhere. It is a comparison between a bullet of an automobile and a bomb of a tractor trailer. Allan Siegel: There’s a lot more involved in a truck crash case than there is in a car crash case. And not every law firm knows and understands trucking cases. There are federal rules and federal regulations that govern the trucking industry that they must follow, and a lawyer who’s handling those types of cases needs to know all of those laws, needs to know hours of service, needs to know how they’re supposed to keep their logs. I am on the executive board of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group. I will eventually be the chair of that group. I’ve worked with that group and been on the board for many years and have been working and have a deep understanding of trucking cases. Joseph Cammarata: If it’s a heavy use vehicle, dump truck, a garbage truck, U-Haul, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler, those are trucks. So we’re not just talking about 18 wheelers. Those big rigs that you see on the road. Stephen Ollar: It’s not always just the truck that’s at fault. Maybe the truck trucking company itself was negligent in not providing enough supervision for the truck driver. So there’s a lot that goes into it, and it’s something that we pride ourselves in.   # Truck Accidents & Weather ## Washington, DC Accident Lawyers Dangerous weather conditions are a common contributing factor in trucking accidents. Weather affects the handling of the truck, and it also affects the driver. Hazardous weather conditions can cause accidents in any type of vehicle, but they pose elevated risks for large trucks. Truck drivers are required by law to use extra caution in dangerous weather. If you have been injured in a [truck accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/), contact our team of experienced lawyers today for a [free consultation](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/). ## Bad Weather You can assume that any weather condition that would make driving a passenger vehicle more dangerous will also affect a semi-tractor trailer truck. What you might not realize is that conditions that may not seem like a danger to the average driver can play a large role in trucking accidents. **Weather conditions that can lead to truck accidents include:** - Rain - Fog - Snow - Sleet - High winds - Heat - Dust #### HEAT Although most people do not think of hot weather as a particularly dangerous driving condition, it is a significant factor for truck drivers and their vehicles. Tire blowouts can easily cause a rollover in a large, commercial truck, and hot weather makes a blowout more likely. Heat also causes driver fatigue, the most common contributing factor in truck accidents. #### HIGH WINDS Wind can cause an accident in any high profile vehicle, and very high winds can even cause low profile vehicles to go out of control, especially in icy conditions. Large commercial vehicles are more easily affected by high winds than any type of passenger vehicle. When a gust of wind sends a passenger vehicle out of control, the effect is usually temporary. When the gust ends, the driver can regain control and usually avoid an accident. When a big rig is hit by a gust of wind it is much more difficult to bring the vehicle back under control. Once the truck starts to sway, it can cause a chain of events that even the most experienced driver cannot reverse, leading to a rollover. #### WEATHER AND FATIGUE All types of dangerous weather can put a truck driver under constant strain, adding fatigue on top of the normal, inherent risks of dangerous road conditions. The stress of trying to control the truck, and problems such as low visibility, not only add to [fatigue](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/truck-driver-fatigue/), they can take all of the driver’s attention, making it more difficult to watch out for other vehicles. ### Driver Responsibility Truck drivers cannot control the weather, and in dangerous conditions, even the best, most experienced drivers may not be able to control their trucks. What they can control is how fast they drive and when to make the decision to stay off the road. Commercial drivers have a legal responsibility to use elevated caution in hazardous weather. However, pressure from employers to meet unrealistic schedules forces some drivers to take unnecessary risks. **If you believe that hazardous weather caused you or a loved one to be involved in a truck accident, please [contact us](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) today. The attorneys at Chaikin Sherman Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. are focused on obtaining justice for people like you—people who need a topnotch Washington, DC personal injury lawyer on their side.** ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist ## Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The truck accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent injured motorists across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Northern Virginia truck accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/northern-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/) ([Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/arlington-va/), [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/alexandria/), and [Fairfax County trucking claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/fairfax/)), and Maryland ([Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/rockville/), [Montgomery County truck collisions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/montgomery-county/), [Silver Spring](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/silver-spring/), [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/hyattsville/), and [Waldorf](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/waldorf/)). ## Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK ### Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ### Related Articles Read More Blog Articles Dangers of Self-Driving Delivery Trucks Why Are Accidents Involving Amazon Delivery Vehicles Increasing? Waldorf Truck Accident Lawyer What To Do When a Family Member is Killed in a Truck Accident Hyattsville Truck Accident Lawyers Montgomery County Truck Accident Attorney Silver Spring Truck Accident Attorneys Maryland Truck Accident Statistics Washington DC Truck Accident Statistics [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2024/12/multi-million-dollar-settlement-trucking-tragedy/) Newsletter Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement: Trucking Tragedy In one of our most impactful cases, a catastrophic collision on an Interstate Highway forever Read More » 12/18/2024 [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2020/03/how-to-reduce-your-chances-of-being-in-a-truck-accident/) Car Accidents How to Reduce Your Chances of Being in a Truck Accident Truck accidents often result in catastrophic or even deadly injuries. According to the U.S. Department of Read More » 03/12/2020 [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2020/02/what-makes-truck-accidents-so-dangerous/) Car Accidents What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous? The Dangers of Truck Accidents 18-wheelers are among the most dangerous vehicles on today’s highways. Read More » 02/04/2020 [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2020/02/what-to-do-after-a-truck-accident-2/) Car Accidents What to Do After a Truck Accident If you or your loved one were injured in a truck accident, you are probably Read More » 02/04/2020