What If an 18-Wheeler Hydroplaned and Hit My Vehicle?

If a trucking company says its driver hydroplaned, that does not necessarily mean the accident was unavoidable.

Hydroplaning can be influenced by speed, water depth, tire condition, tire tread, driver inputs, and roadway conditions.

The investigation should determine why the truck lost control.

What Causes Hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning occurs when water interferes with tire contact with the roadway.

Factors can include:

• speed;
• standing water;
• tire condition;
• tread depth;
• tire pressure; and
• roadway conditions.

Should Truck Drivers Slow Down in Rain?

Yes.

FMCSA advises commercial drivers to reduce speed in adverse weather and specifically notes that wet roads require additional caution.

What If the Driver Was Below the Speed Limit?

The driver may still have been traveling too fast for conditions.

A posted limit does not guarantee that a particular speed is safe during heavy rain.

Could Bad Tires Be Responsible?

Potentially.

Investigators may examine:

• tire tread;
• inflation;
• damage;
• maintenance;
• inspection records; and
• prior reports.

Could the Trucking Company Be Responsible for the Tires?

That depends on who was responsible for inspecting and maintaining the equipment.

Maintenance records can help answer that question.

What If the Truck Jackknifed?

Loss of traction can contribute to a jackknife, where the trailer moves at an angle relative to the tractor.

A jackknifed truck can block several lanes and cause a major collision.

Speed, braking, tires, cargo, and driver actions may all require investigation.

What If Several Cars Were Hit?

A hydroplaning tractor-trailer can create a multi-vehicle collision.

Each impact may need to be reconstructed.

What Evidence Can Prove Speed?

Potential sources include GPS, telematics, electronic truck information, video, witnesses, and reconstruction.

What About Weather Evidence?

Historical weather information, roadway cameras, photographs, witnesses, and dashcam video can help document the conditions.

Could Cargo Affect the Crash?

Potentially.

Cargo weight and distribution can affect vehicle handling and stability.

Could Driver Distraction Be Involved?

Yes.

A distracted driver may fail to recognize standing water or changing conditions in time to reduce speed.

What Injuries Can Result?

Hydroplaning truck crashes can cause rollovers, side impacts, head-on collisions, and chain reactions.

Potential injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, fractures, internal injuries, paralysis, and permanent disability.

What Insurance Could Apply?

Commercial liability coverage may apply, with additional coverage potentially relevant depending on the entities involved.

What Should I Do?

Get medical care.

Preserve photographs and video.

Document weather conditions.

Save dashcam footage.

Identify witnesses.

Keep medical and employment records.

Jacqueline Scott & Associates Can Investigate

"Hydroplaning" describes what may have happened to the truck.

It does not necessarily explain why it happened.

Was the truck going too fast?

Were the tires unsafe?

Did the driver fail to respond to rain?

Was maintenance neglected?

Jacqueline Scott & Associates can investigate those questions after a serious Louisiana 18-wheeler wreck.

Make ’Em Pay.

Call (318) 746-5997.

Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is general information and is not legal advice.

This article is general information about Louisiana law and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.