Winter weather creates dangerous driving conditions across Texas, and when commercial trucks are involved, the risks increase dramatically. Ice, freezing rain, and reduced visibility contribute to a seasonal rise in truck accidents, many of which result in severe or catastrophic injuries.
Because of the size and weight of tractor-trailers, winter truck accidents are often more violent, and the legal claims that follow are significantly more complex. Understanding why these crashes happen and what makes winter truck accident claims different can help injured victims protect their rights.
Winter Weather Increases the Risk of Serious Truck Accidents
Winter conditions such as black ice, sleet, and sudden freezes reduce traction and increase stopping distances. For large commercial trucks, these hazards can be especially dangerous.
According to U.S. Department of Transportation data, nearly one-quarter of all weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, icy, or slushy pavement, and these conditions are especially dangerous for heavy trucks with long stopping distances and reduced traction. On icy roads, fully loaded tractor-trailers may require up to ten times more distance to stop compared to dry pavement.
Why Large Trucks Are More Dangerous on Icy Roads
Commercial trucks involved in winter truck accidents face several unique challenges:
- Increased braking distance due to vehicle weight
- Higher risk of jackknife accidents
- Greater chance of multi-vehicle pileups
- Reduced ability to maneuver or avoid sudden hazards
When a truck loses control in winter weather, nearby passenger vehicles often suffer the most severe consequences.
Winter Truck Accidents in Texas Pose Unique Dangers
Although Texas does not experience snow and ice as frequently as northern states, truck accidents in Texas often spike when winter weather does occur. Drivers may be unprepared for icy roads, and infrastructure is not always designed for prolonged freezing conditions.
Texas freight corridors carry some of the highest volumes of commercial truck traffic in the country. When winter weather hits, the combination of high speeds, heavy cargo, and sudden road hazards creates extremely dangerous conditions.
Texas Highways and Freight Routes Increase Truck Accident Severity
Many serious Texas truck accidents occur on major highways and interstates where tractor-trailers travel at highway speeds. Even a brief loss of traction can cause a truck to jackknife or cross multiple lanes of traffic, leading to chain-reaction collisions.
Because winter storms in Texas often develop quickly, drivers may encounter icy bridges or overpasses with little warning — a common factor in winter truck crashes.
Why Truck Accident Claims Are More Complex in Winter
Truck accident claims are already far more complicated than standard car accident cases. Winter weather adds additional layers of legal, factual, and evidentiary challenges.
Multiple Parties May Be Liable in a Truck Accident
Determining liability in truck accidents often involves more than just the driver. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Maintenance or inspection providers
- Cargo loaders or freight companies
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers
Identifying all liable parties is essential to recovering full compensation in a winter truck accident claim.
Weather Conditions Are Often Used as a Defense
In winter truck accident cases, insurance companies frequently attempt to blame the crash on weather alone. However, bad weather does not excuse negligent behavior.
Truck drivers and trucking companies are still required to:
- Adjust speed for road conditions
- Delay travel when conditions are unsafe
- Properly maintain braking and safety systems
- Follow federal trucking safety regulations
Proving negligence often requires a thorough investigation into driver logs, maintenance records, weather reports, and company policies.
Often, trucking companies put profits over safety by forcing drivers to drive on roads that are too dangerous for 18-wheelers. We have all seen the pictures on television of a line of trucks stuck on icy roads, or of a lone trucker as the only vehicle driving on ice. Even with terrible road conditions, trucking companies too often make the negligent decision to keep driving fast to make money. When their trucks crash, they try to blame the icy roads and refuse to pay claims. Often, trucking companies in Texas make the decision to keep driving when they lack proper tires, training, or experience for driving on snow- or ice-covered roads. The Kuzmich Law Firm fights for clients by exposing the profit-over-safety model that causes so many trucking accidents.
Injuries in Winter Truck Accidents Are Often Severe
Because of the size disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, injuries in winter truck accidents are often devastating. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Multiple fractures
- Permanent disability
Victims of serious truck accidents may face long-term medical care, lost earning capacity, and lasting emotional trauma.
What to Do After a Winter Truck Accident in Texas
If you are involved in a truck accident in Texas during winter weather, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Call law enforcement and obtain a crash report
- Document the scene if it is safe to do so
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies
- Speak with an experienced Texas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible
Evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly, especially when weather conditions are involved.
How a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Working with an experienced Texas truck accident lawyer is critical after a serious winter collision involving a commercial vehicle. These cases require in-depth investigation, industry knowledge, and aggressive advocacy. The Kuzmich Law Firm, P.C represents victims of truck accidents throughout North Texas, including Flower Mound, Lewisville, Denton, Highland Village, and surrounding DFW communities.
Our team understands the complexities of commercial truck accident claims, including those involving winter weather. We work to identify all responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term damages.
Speak With Kuzmich Law Firm About Your Truck Accident Claim
Winter truck accidents can change lives in an instant. Steve Kuzmich, founder of the Kuzmich Law Firm, is a board certified personal injury expert with over 30 years of legal expertise. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, you do not have to face the legal process alone.
Call Kuzmich Law Firm, P.C. at 972-434-1555 to schedule your free consultation.
Our firm handles truck accident claims across North Texas and statewide from our Flower Mound office.