Truck Accidents Caused by Falling Sheets of Ice
January 22, 2019
If you live in the northeastern United States, you know how hazardous the roads can become when they are covered in ice or snow. If you cannot avoid driving, you know how important it is to drive slowly, and use extra caution in case of black ice or other slick surfaces during the winter.
After the ice and snow has been cleared away, however, there is another potential hazard that motorists should be aware of. After a winter storm, snow and ice can accumulate on top of tractor trailers. If it is not cleared off, thick sheets of ice can slide off the truck and hit the vehicle that is traveling behind it, causing massive property damage to the vehicle and severe injuries to the passengers inside.
Removal Can be Tricky
Despite the massive damage that these dislodged sheets of ice can cause, not all motor carriers have safety equipment available at their terminals that can remove snow and ice from their trucks. The companies that do provide the equipment only have it available at their terminals, which means drivers do not have access to it when they are on the road.
Oftentimes, truck drivers will climb on top of the trailer to shovel the snow or ice off the top. However, this can be very dangerous, as the surface of the trailer can be very slippery. The truck driver can suffer serious injuries if they fall from the top of the truck.
Tragic Examples of Truck Accidents Involving Falling Ice
The Chicago Herald reported on a story about a truck accident involving a motorist who was driving behind a large truck that had a thick layer of ice on the top of the trailer. The ice became dislodged and smashed into the hood and windshield of the Honda CR-V that was following the truck. The occupant of the CR-V suffered broken bones in his eye and nose and may not regain vision in one eye.
Another accident that received national attention involved a fatal crash that occurred in New Hampshire. A nine-foot sheet of ice fell from a truck and hit the windshield of the car that was following the truck. The occupant of the car did not survive.
In addition to being hit by falling ice, other serious accidents can occur when drivers swerve to try to avoid being hit by falling sheets of ice. For example, if the car swerves into another lane, and gets hit in a head-on collision, it can have devastating consequences, including multiple fatalities.
However, because the truck was not actually involved in the accident, the driver may not be held liable for any property damage or injuries. A skilled Baltimore truck accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation and determine who is responsible for causing the accident.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Falling Ice Accidents
If you or someone you know have been seriously injured in a truck accident involving falling ice, you are urged to contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will aggressively pursue the maximum financial compensation you are entitled to and ensure that your legal rights are protected at all times. We will not stop fighting for you until justice has been served. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
