Attorney Elizabeth Kayatta has achieved record-setting results for trucking accidents and other complex motor vehicle collisions with commercial vehicles.
Winter in Maine Takes the Danger of Trucking Accidents — And Makes It Worse
When winter driving accidents happen, especially when they involve large trucks and commercial vehicles, people can be injured and killed. Commercial trucks can be dangerous during any season: weighing as much as 20 tons, their size and weight alone can turn a low-speed collision into a catastrophic or even fatal event. But when you add in the hazards of winter driving in Maine — from snowy and icy roadways to sudden wind gusts and icy debris flying from roofs — the risks go way up.
If you have to be on the road in the wintertime, be aware of the risks that trucks and other large commercial vehicles pose. When conditions include snow and ice, it's more important that ever to be cautious near trucks on the road.
Truck Drivers Face Pressure to Stay on the Road — No Matter the Conditions
No matter the season, trucking collisions are a safety threat nationwide. The most recent statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report the following about truck collisions in the United States:
- 30,808 annual fatalities in crashes involving trucks
- 1,552,905 people injured annually in crashes involving trucks
In Maine, the most recent statistics from the Department of Transportation show that between 2019-2023 there were an average of 76 fatal truck crashes annually in our state. Many of these trucks were operating unsafely in winter driving conditions. Snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain, black ice, wind and fog all increase the risk of devastating truck collisions.
While many motorists simply stay off the roads when there is a likelihood of winter conditions, trucking operators often stay on the roads and highways. Shipments have due dates, packages need to be delivered, and supplies need to be transported on time. Truck drivers face tremendous pressure to make their pickups and deliveries on time, no matter the driving conditions. This is a fact of life that puts the rest of us at risk when we share the roads with trucks.
Many truckers also enjoy a relative feeling of safety, simply because of the size of their vehicles. When a semi or 18-wheeler collides with a passenger car, which driver is likely to be rushed to the hospital, and which driver is likely to walk away unharmed?
Top 5 Defensive Driving Tips for Staying Safe from Trucks on Maine’s Roads in the Wintertime
1- Stay Safe, Stay Slow
You can’t control the speed at which trucks are traveling, but you can ensure that you are going a safe speed in your own vehicle. The slower you go, the more time you will have to react if you encounter a truck on the road, giving you more of an opportunity to avoid a crash if the truck loses control.
When temperatures are near or below freezing, any type of precipitation should send up a red flag that the roads may be dangerous. In these circumstances, it may not be safe to drive the posted speed limit, even if you are on a highway with a “reduced speed” advisory in place.
2- Watch Out for Snow and Ice on Trucks
Since 2023, the law in Maine has required all drivers clear snow and ice from their vehicles so it does not pose a hazard to other drivers on the road. Failing to do so is a moving violation that drivers can be fined for.
But in practice, many truck drivers do not clear snow and ice from their rigs. This can create a hazard for vehicles driving behind a truck, because sheets of snow or ice can fly off the roof or truck bed and strike the car behind. And when truck drivers don’t clear snow or ice from the hoods of their rigs, a gust of wind or increase in speed may send spray of snow against the windshield that causes the driver to lose visibility of the road.
If you see a truck covered in snow and ice, that’s a good indication the driver may be more focused on meeting a deadline than safe operation.
3- Keep a Safe Distance Behind Trucks
If you are driving on icy or snowy roads, it is critical to stay much further behind a truck ahead than you might judge safe when following a smaller vehicle. That’s because trucks, busses, and other large commercial vehicles are so heavy that they need additional time to slow down, particularly on roads that are snowy and icy.
Leave plenty of room when merging or approaching stop signs and traffic signals. Just because you are driving slowly and with caution doesn’t mean truck drivers are doing the same.
4- Stay Alert at Intersections and When Merging
You may have the right-of-way when you approach an intersection, but that doesn’t keep you safe if an approaching truck is moving too quickly to stop on icy roads. Never assume that an approaching truck will be able to stop in time if you enter the intersection ahead of it.
The same is true when making turns or merging—these are not occasions to cut it close when a truck is nearby. The stakes are too high to assume that the truck will see and yield in time.
5- Be Cautious of Drivers from Away
Many trucks travel into Maine from great distances. If you encounter a truck with out-of-state plates from somewhere that doesn’t have regular snow, you should assume the driver may not be used to driving in Maine’s wintertime conditions.
A truck driver from part of the country that doesn’t regularly freeze may not be aware of how treacherous Maine’s roadways get from freezing rain, sleet, or snow. Maine’s roadways feature hundreds of bridges and overpasses that freeze quickly, and regular freeze/thaw cycles can cause black ice to accumulate on the roadway. Truck drivers from out of state may be caught off guard by slick wintertime conditions.
I Was Injured in a Collision Caused by a Truck. What Do I Do Next?
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a collision caused by a truck or commercial vehicle, you need a lawyer who has experience handling truck accidents. Most trucking cases require a sophisticated understanding of state and federal regulations, and are far more complicated than run-of-the-mill car crash cases.
Contacting an experienced trucking accident attorney as soon as possible can make all the difference to provide fair compensation for you and your family.
At Berman & Simmons, we handle even the most complex and catastrophic trucking cases. Our firm has the resources to take your case the distance while you focus on your recovery. If your loved one has been incapacitated by their injuries, we can guide you through the process of what is needed to get a temporary guardianship. And if you lost a family member in a trucking collision, we can help you set up an estate with the probate court to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Arm Yourself with Knowledge
Click on the links below to explore these additional resources.
- Winter driving tips from the NHTSA: https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
- Winter Safety facts from the Maine Turnpike: https://www.maineturnpike.com/safety/winter-safety
- Facts about crashes involving large trucks. Compiled by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts