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Dangerous Road Conditions Result in Tractor-Trailer Accident

Rob Rosasco • Apr 19, 2017

As the last of winter weather comes to an end and the spring (and its accompanying showers) begins, roadways can become perilously slippery. While wet roads can be dangerous for any vehicles, tractor-trailers and other large trucks are the vehicles that pose the biggest risk to other roadway occupants, should they lose control. A recent local accident is an example of what can happen when semis and other large trucks lose control in wet weather.

Just last month, an early-morning collision involving a tractor-trailer resulted in a shutdown of the northbound I-81. Roads dotted with patches of ice proved perilous for a tractor-trailer passing through Rockbridge County during early morning hours. The truck lost control and crashed, causing a backup reaching as far back as two miles.

Drivers should always take care to drive cautiously in wet or icy weather, but tractor-trailers and semi-trucks are especially vulnerable to losing control under these conditions. While the average passenger vehicle weighs between 2,000 and 5,000 lbs, large commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. As a result, even when driving conditions are ideal, fully-loaded big rigs require a great deal more space to come to a stop. When a loaded tractor-trailer is traveling at highway speeds, the truck will need up to 625 feet to come to a complete stop after the driver recognizes a hazard on the road. Braking distances are even greater when a trailer is completely empty, as the loaded trailer provides additional traction for the truck’s brakes.

When roads are wet or icy, large trucks may lose traction and begin to hydroplane. When a truck’s tires lose contact with the road, they can become entirely unable to control the direction or speed of their vehicle, potentially threatening the lives of those around them. Drivers who fail to follow best practices for large trucks in wet weather, such as by avoiding roads when temperatures are below freezing and rain is expected, or failing to brake correctly, can cause serious accidents. Carrier companies can be held liable in court for failure to properly hire or train drivers for driving in rainy conditions, or for failure to ensure that trucks are properly maintained so that they are safe on wet roads.

If you’ve been injured in a car or truck accident in Virginia, find out if you have a claim for money damages by contacting the seasoned and knowledgeable Charlottesville personal injury attorneys at Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz for a consultation, at 434-977-7977.

Joint Tenancy Problems in Estate Planning

By David Matine • 03 Nov, 2022
When two or more individuals hold title to real estate property together, the type of ownership that is very often used is called “joint tenancy with a right of survivorship.” Under this arrangement, each owner, referred to as a “joint tenant”, possesses an equal share of the property. And when one of the owners... Read More » The post Joint Tenancy Problems in Estate Planning appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

Virginia’s Transfer on Death Deed: What You Need to Know

By David Matine • 11 Oct, 2022
Virginia residents who own real estate property can use a transfer on death deed (TODD) to automatically transfer property directly to beneficiaries upon the owner’s death. This can be a good estate planning strategy, especially for those whose primary asset is their house and they do not have much other property. With a transfer... Read More » The post Virginia’s Transfer on Death Deed: What You Need to Know appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

Dividing an Annuity in a Virginia Divorce Settlement

By David Matine • 03 Oct, 2022
When a couple gets divorced, one of the most complicated issues that will need to be resolved is the division of marital property. This is especially true if the spouses have accumulated significant assets during the time that they were married. One marital asset that is particularly difficult to divide is an annuity. This... Read More » The post Dividing an Annuity in a Virginia Divorce Settlement appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

How to Recognize Fraud in Estate Planning

By David Matine • 30 Aug, 2022
The goal of anyone making an estate plan is to make the probate process stress-free for their surviving loved ones as their final wishes are carried out. Usually, estate planning documents, such as a legally valid will, can mitigate the majority of potential challenges and help avoid probate court controversy. However, estate planning fraud... Read More » The post How to Recognize Fraud in Estate Planning appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

Revising Your Estate Plan After The Death Of An Heir

By David Matine • 05 Aug, 2022
When an heir to an estate plan passes away, it is time to get in touch with an experienced estate planning lawyer to make the necessary changes to your plan.   If you need legal help with any type of estate planning matters in Virginia, contact Buck, Toscano & Terezkerz. We work closely with... Read More » The post Revising Your Estate Plan After The Death Of An Heir appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

Navigating a Home Transfer During a Virginia Divorce

By David Matine • 05 Aug, 2022
One of the most contentious issues that must be resolved during a divorce is the division of the marital estate. Whenever there is money and property involved, it can trigger emotional responses. One question that often causes these types of feelings is which spouse gets to keep the house that the couple is currently... Read More » The post Navigating a Home Transfer During a Virginia Divorce appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

Why Unmarried Parents Should Still Work Out Child Custody Arrangements

By David Matine • 05 Jul, 2022
Many cohabitating couples choose not to get married these days, and a lot of them have children together. Unmarried couples living with children they have together are not much different from married couples with children. And just like with a lot of marriages, unmarried couples often decide to split up as well, leaving the... Read More » The post Why Unmarried Parents Should Still Work Out Child Custody Arrangements appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

Digital Estate Planning: Protecting Your Online Assets

By David Matine • 29 Jun, 2022
When individuals prepare their wills, they are often only thinking about their physical property (such as real estate, vehicles, jewelry, etc.) and financial accounts. Digital estate planning is a fairly recent concept, and it is something that is frequently overlooked when people set up their estate plans. Digitized assets can be very valuable in... Read More » The post Digital Estate Planning: Protecting Your Online Assets appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

Estate Planning After Divorce

By David Matine • 15 Jun, 2022
If you have recently gone through a divorce, you may be feeling a sense of relief that the process is over, along with a combination of excitement and anxiety about what lies ahead. But before you get too far into your post-divorce life, there is one area that you should address: your estate plan.... Read More » The post Estate Planning After Divorce appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..

How Do Inheritances Impact a Virginia Divorce?

By David Matine • 01 Jun, 2022
When couples are getting divorced and one of the spouses has received a significant inheritance (or they are going to receive one in the near future), they often wonder how this inheritance might impact the divorce settlement. What effect (if any) will an inheritance have on the division of property? How will it impact... Read More » The post How Do Inheritances Impact a Virginia Divorce? appeared first on Buck, Toscano & Tereskerz, Ltd..
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