Winter driving in Maine comes with familiar hazards, but few drivers expect a sheet of ice to suddenly break loose from a tractor-trailer and strike their vehicle. At highway speeds, falling ice or packed snow can shatter a windshield, obstruct a driver’s view, or cause a serious multi-vehicle crash.
When ice falls off a tractor-trailer in Maine, determining who is responsible can be more complicated than it appears. Maine’s snow and ice law treats large commercial trucks differently from passenger vehicles, but that does not necessarily protect a truck driver or trucking company from liability when falling debris causes serious injuries.
Does Maine’s Snow and Ice Law Apply to Tractor-Trailers?
Maine’s snow and ice law, 29-A MRS §2093, requires drivers of certain vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds to take reasonable measures to prevent accumulated snow and ice from falling while traveling on public roads.
Large commercial trucks and tractor-trailers are excluded from that specific requirement.
That distinction is important, but it does not mean a trucking company cannot be held responsible when ice or snow falls from its vehicle. A traffic citation and civil liability are different issues. Other laws and negligence principles may still apply after a Maine truck crash caused by falling ice.
Can a Truck Driver Be Liable for Falling Ice?
Maine’s unsecured load statute provides another potential basis for liability. Under 29-A MRS §2396, vehicles generally cannot be operated with loads that are not reasonably secured against falling.
Commercial truck drivers also have a broader duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care. After an ice-related tractor-trailer crash, important questions may include whether the driver inspected the truck before traveling, how long snow or ice had accumulated, and whether there were reasonable opportunities to address dangerous buildup.
Federal trucking safety requirements may also become relevant depending on the circumstances.
Together, these rules mean that the absence of a ticket under Maine’s snow and ice law does not necessarily establish negligence.
Can the Trucking Company Also Be Responsible?
Serious truck accident claims frequently involve more than the actions of an individual driver.
If a truck driver was working within the scope of employment when the crash occurred, the motor carrier may be responsible for the driver’s negligence. A trucking company’s own practices can also come under scrutiny.
For example, an investigation may examine whether the company had appropriate winter-weather procedures, whether drivers were expected to continue operating during dangerous conditions, whether inspections were properly completed, and whether the company provided reasonable opportunities or equipment to address ice accumulation.
Other businesses may sometimes be involved as well, depending on who owned the tractor or trailer and how the shipment was arranged.
Identifying every potentially responsible party is one reason commercial truck crashes can be considerably more complex than collisions involving two passenger vehicles.
What Evidence Matters After Ice Falls From a Truck?
Ice and snow create an unusual evidence problem because the physical evidence can quickly disappear.
Dashcam footage may show the moment ice separated from the trailer. Witnesses may be able to identify the truck or describe the amount of snow and ice accumulated on it. Photographs of vehicle damage, roadway debris, weather conditions, and the commercial vehicle itself may also help establish what occurred.
Evidence held by the trucking company can be particularly important. Depending on the case, this may include GPS data, dispatch communications, inspection records, driver logs, and company policies regarding winter operations.
Preserving this evidence early can be critical to determining how the crash happened and who may be legally responsible.
Maine Truck Accident Claims Can Involve Complex Liability
A serious crash caused by falling ice may initially seem like an unavoidable consequence of Maine winter weather. A closer investigation can tell a different story.
Truck drivers, motor carriers, trailer owners, and other companies can have different responsibilities in ensuring a commercial vehicle is safely on the road. Determining liability may require examining state law, federal trucking regulations, company practices, and evidence unavailable to the injured person at the scene.
Berman & Simmons has represented people throughout Maine in complex truck accident cases for generations. If ice or snow falling from a tractor-trailer caused serious injuries to you or a family member, we can help you understand the circumstances of the crash and the legal options available to you.