Chelsea Dickerson
Dickerson Oxton attorney Chelsea Dickerson is a dedicated advocate for injury victims, focusing her practice on personal injury and mass tort litigation. As co-founder of the firm, she has helped recover millions of dollars for clients in serious injury, trucking accident, motorcycle accident, and wrongful death cases. Chelsea is known for her aggressive, evidence-driven approach and her commitment to holding insurance companies and negligent parties accountable. She also represents consumers nationwide in complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation.
2026 data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) suggests that weather and road conditions play a major role in many Kansas truck accidents. Specifically, snow was a factor in 37 truck accidents, while severe crosswinds contributed to 20 of these collisions. Rain was another major issue, contributing to 21 crashes in 2026. Note that this data was released by the FMCSA midway through 2026, suggesting that adverse weather would likely cause many additional truck accidents before the year finishes.
Those who believe that adverse weather contributed to their truck accident injuries may be unsure of how to proceed from a legal perspective. Is a trucker still responsible for a crash if adverse weather was a contributing factor? How does a victim pursue compensation for their injuries after a crash caused by snow, crosswinds, or rain? A consultation with an experienced Kansas truck accident attorney may serve as an opportunity to ask these questions and potentially receive personalized answers. Dickerson Oxton has a 98 percent success rate for its clients and has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of victims. Expand on this dialogue by contacting Dickerson Oxton at (816) 542-6599. We serve residents of Kansas City.
Truckers Must Drive According to Weather Conditions
Many people assume that traffic rules are static, but they may change based on road conditions. A clear example is the speed limit on a given highway, which only applies to ideal road conditions. When weather conditions add new hazards, truckers and all other drivers must adjust their speeds accordingly. Many other rules depend on road conditions, particularly when night falls and visibility deteriorates. Although it may seem as though weather conditions were the only contributing factors in a specific crash, truckers often share fault because they fail to make safe and necessary adjustments in the face of wind, snow, rain, and other environmental hazards.
Summary of Trucking Accidents Caused by Weather Conditions
Weather and road conditions often contribute to truck accidents in Kansas and Missouri, but truck drivers and trucking companies may still bear legal responsibility if they fail to adjust their driving practices to account for known hazards. Truck drivers must modify their speed, visibility practices, and overall driving behavior when encountering rain, snow, fog, severe crosswinds, or other hazardous weather conditions.
Poor visibility, inadequate vehicle lighting, reduced traction, hydroplaning, and increased stopping distances can all increase the risk of serious trucking accidents during adverse weather. Severe crosswinds present a significant danger to semi-trucks, and truck drivers may have a duty to stop operating their vehicles when wind conditions create an unreasonable safety risk.
Proper Vehicle Lights Are Critical for Truckers Operating in Darkness
If a driver cannot properly see a semi-truck, they cannot avoid colliding with that vehicle. Although activating proper lights at night might seem like one of the most basic steps for a professional driver, many truckers fail in this regard. Darkness is one of the most pervasive driving hazards because it occurs without fail at nightfall at the end of every single day.
One of the most common crashes involves a semi-truck parking on the shoulder of a highway at night. Often, the trucker parks in a way that partially obstructs one of the lanes. A driver may then approach in the darkness and strike the back of the semi-truck, suffering fatal or catastrophic injuries as a result. This type of crash is obviously more likely to occur if the trucker fails to activate their flashing hazard lights when parked, which is a frequent mistake.
Truckers Must Reduce Their Speeds in Adverse Conditions
Since posted speed limits only apply to ideal road conditions, truckers must reduce their speeds when facing weather like fog, heavy rain, severe crosswinds, or snow. If they fail to reduce their speeds, this may constitute a speeding violation and a clear example of negligence. This reduction of speed is necessary for several reasons. First, the stopping distance of a semi-truck may be greatly reduced by the presence of snow, rain, or hail on the roadway. With less traction, a trucker may need to brake earlier and harder to avoid colliding with other vehicles. Hydroplaning is also a potential issue for truckers navigating roadways saturated with water.
Rain, fog, and snow also reduce visibility for truckers. On a clear day, a trucker might spot traffic congestion miles down the road. When the air is thick with rain, snow, or fog, or hail, a trucker may only spot these kinds of hazards at the last possible moment. Slower speeds are absolutely critical, giving truckers more time to spot hazards up ahead and increasing braking distances on slick roads.
Severe Crosswinds Are Surprisingly Hazardous for Truckers
Severe crosswinds can easily cause trucks to crash in Missouri and Kansas. This area is no stranger to strong winds, and the Transportation Research Board describes high wind speeds as a “perennial” contributing factor to semi-truck crashes in Kansas and nearby states. Tornadoes frequently affect Kansas and the surrounding states. Although it might seem unthinkable for a gust of wind to knock over a heavy semi-truck, this happens more than many realize. Flat, wide, and tall trailers often act like sails, capturing the energy of severe crosswinds and toppling even the heaviest trucks.
This type of scenario can pose devastating hazards to nearby motorists, as a toppling semi-truck can easily crush anything underneath it. Truckers are legally required to pull over and stop driving when severe crosswinds become too intense. Unfortunately, many are more concerned with meeting deadlines than promoting public safety, and these truckers remain on the road despite obvious crosswind hazards.
Can I Still Sue for a Truck Accident Caused by Adverse Weather?
Victims may hear that adverse weather represents an “act of God” that makes semi-truck accidents “faultless”. However, this is not true. Although weather can often be completely unpredictable, truckers and trucking companies are still legally required to take effective steps in the face of these hazards. Sometimes, this step is as simple as pulling over and waiting for storms to pass. Consider speaking with an experienced law firm such as Dickerson Oxton to assess potential negligence, even if others say that a weather-related truck accident was unavoidable or faultless.
Learn More About Trucking Accidents With Dickerson Oxton
Although adverse weather and road conditions clearly play a role in many Kansas City truck accidents, it is all too easy to blame collisions on factors beyond human control. In reality, truckers and trucking companies have a legal duty of care to prepare for these conditions and make necessary adjustments. If they fail to take these steps, injured victims can potentially hold them liable with assistance from Kansas City truck accident lawyers. That being said, weather conditions are inherently unpredictable, making each of these crashes unique. As a result, it may make sense to discuss the specifics of each case with Dickerson Oxton. With over 80 years of combined experience, this law firm has spent decades advocating for the rights of injured victims. Expand on this dialogue by contacting us at (816) 542-6599. We serve residents of both Missouri and Kansas.
Important Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Accidents Caused by Adverse Weather Conditions
Read further to learn more about weather conditions and their effect on trucking accidents in Missouri and Kansas.
Can A Truck Driver Be Responsible For An Accident Caused By Bad Weather?
Although weather conditions may contribute to a collision, truck drivers must adjust their driving behavior to account for known hazards. Failure to reduce speed, increase following distance, use proper lighting, or stop driving when conditions become unsafe could support a claim of negligence.
Do Speed Limits Change During Adverse Weather Conditions?
Posted speed limits generally reflect ideal driving conditions. When rain, snow, fog, ice, or strong winds create additional hazards, truck drivers may need to travel below the posted speed limit to operate their vehicles safely and comply with their legal duties.
Why Are Semi-Trucks More Dangerous During Rain Or Snow?
Rain and snow can reduce tire traction, increase stopping distances, and make it more difficult to control large commercial vehicles. These conditions may also reduce visibility, making it harder for truck drivers to identify hazards and react in a timely manner.
How Do Crosswinds Affect Semi-Trucks?
Strong crosswinds can push trailers sideways, reduce vehicle stability, and, in extreme situations, cause a rollover. Tall or lightly loaded trailers may be especially vulnerable because they present a larger surface area to the wind.
What Role Does Visibility Play In Weather-Related Truck Accidents?
Visibility is a major factor in many trucking collisions. Rain, fog, snow, darkness, and other environmental conditions can limit a driver’s ability to identify traffic congestion, disabled vehicles, road hazards, or changing roadway conditions.
Can Improper Truck Lighting Contribute To A Collision?
Commercial vehicles operating at night or during poor weather conditions should use appropriate lighting systems to remain visible to other motorists. Failure to activate hazard lights or maintain functioning lights may increase the likelihood of a collision.
Does Bad Weather Automatically Make A Truck Accident Unavoidable?
While weather conditions may create challenges, truck drivers and trucking companies still have a duty to take reasonable precautions. Courts and insurance companies often examine whether appropriate safety measures could have prevented the collision.
What Evidence May Help Establish Liability In A Weather-Related Truck Accident?
Relevant evidence may include weather reports, electronic logging device data, vehicle maintenance records, dash camera footage, witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstruction findings. This information may help determine whether a truck driver responded appropriately to changing conditions.