Inclement weather can certainly make it difficult to control a vehicle on the road, but that’s no excuse for truck drivers to cause accidents. Commercial trucking companies are obligated to train their drivers to operate safely in hazardous conditions, whether that means slowing down, avoiding dangerous routes, or increasing following distance. When a semi-truck slides, flips, rolls, or causes a pile-up in bad weather, accident victims deserve to be compensated for their injuries. 

Here’s how truck accidents in bad weather happen, and why you should pursue legal advice if you’ve been involved in one.

Common Weather Hazards in New Mexico, and How They Can Cause Truck Accidents

Rain. In Las Cruces, 80% of days are sunny throughout the year, but monsoon thunderstorms from July to September can dump several inches of rain at once. From September to November, tropical storms can move in, producing heavy rainfall, flooding, hail, and intense winds. Trucks should take extra precaution in rainy weather, as they can lose visibility in downpours, and hydroplane and lose control if their tires can’t gain traction. 

Flooding. Roads throughout New Mexico are susceptible to flash flooding, as seen in several instances in the mountain town of Ruidoso in the summer of 2025. Traveling on flooded roads is treacherous for trucks, as the tires lose traction and can rollover or jackknife.    

Wind. During summer monsoons, winds can reach 80-100 miles per hour, blowing rain so hard that drivers can’t see the road. Throughout dry winter months, dust storms blow particles into the air, reducing road visibility to less than half a mile and potentially causing multi-car pileups for drivers who try to go through them. And this isn’t a theoretical threat. New Mexico state police issue warnings advising drivers against traveling on highways during dust storms, such as last March when a severe dust storm created travel delays along I-25 near Albuquerque.

Snow and ice.  New Mexico mountain towns like Red River and Taos Ski Valley, as well as areas around Ski Santa Fe and Angel Fire, are known for substantial snowfall, and truck drivers must always drive cautiously on those steep mountain passes. But even in areas of lower elevation, heavy snow can wreak havoc for semi-trucks. In January, there were multiple truck pile-ups on I-10 west of Las Cruces. Last November, approximately 100 vehicles were stranded after a semi-truck jackknifed on US Highway 64/87 near Des Moines as a winter storm blasted northern parts of the state.

How Trucking Companies Are Supposed to Prevent Truck Accidents in Bad Weather

Trucking companies are mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to teach drivers how to prepare for and handle driving in inclement weather. FMCSA offers guidelines to follow in hazardous conditions, stating that:

“Extreme caution must be exercised when hazardous weather conditions adversely affect visibility or traction as it relates to a motor vehicle. (Truck) Drivers are required to reduce speed under such conditions. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, operations must immediately be discontinued until the vehicle can again be safely operated. In a case where the danger to the driver, occupants, or other users on the road would increase by stopping, the driver may continue operating the vehicle until the nearest place the danger can be eliminated.”

Trucking companies, their drivers, and maintenance companies can abide by these guidelines by:

Staying Up to Date on Inspections

Safety inspections are a must at all times, but particularly important for avoiding truck accidents in bad weather. If tire treads are worn, they won’t be able to grip the road as they should. If brake shoes need changing, the truck won’t be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. If windshield wipers aren’t working, a truck driver won’t be able to see the road in heavy rain. Failure to keep up with inspections can inadvertently cause accidents.

Checking Weather and Road Conditions Ahead of Time

Truck drivers should always check to see what kind of weather they might encounter on a trip; not just from their departure point, but for every section of road on which they will travel. If rain, ice, snow, a dust storm, or flash flooding is predicted, they should re-route, reschedule, or have the equipment necessary to handle road conditions. 

Using Lights As Needed

In heavy storms, trucks must have lights to guide them and alert other drivers to their presence. Failing to turn headlights or hazard lights on or missing a taillight can easily result in a collision with surrounding cars. 

Changing Speeds Gradually

To prevent traction loss in rainy weather, truck drivers must accelerate and decelerate more slowly than they normally would. Just 1/12 of an inch of water on the road forces tires to displace one gallon of water per second, which can easily cause the driver to lose control of the truck.

Increasing Following Distance 

While seven seconds of following distance is recommended in normal weather conditions, drivers should double that time when roads are wet or slippery. And the heavier the truck, the longer it will take to stop, so drivers with full trailers must allow even more time to generate enough friction to brake. 

Turning Off Cruise Control

Driving in bad weather means anything could happen at any moment. Drivers must stay off cruise control and be prepared to slow down or stop well in advance.

Use Tire Chains When Driving on Snowy Roads

Tire chains provide the additional grip needed to navigate icy and snowy surfaces. By installing these chains, truck drivers have a reduced risk of jackknifing or rolling over.  

Who Owes Compensation for Injuries in a Weather-Related Truck Accident?

Truck drivers must adjust their driving behavior and recognize limitations posed by severe weather. If drivers fail to make adjustments or choose to continue operating in dangerous conditions — and their negligence leads to an accident — the truck driver can be held responsible for victims’ injuries. 

Other parties can also share the blame, including: 

The Trucking Company. If an employer didn’t properly train the driver regarding bad weather, pushed the driver to meet delivery deadlines despite hazardous conditions, or did not perform regular maintenance on the truck, they can be at fault.

Maintenance Contractors. Third-party maintenance companies that sent a truck back on the road without checking brakes, tires, lights, and windshield wipers could be partially at fault.

Government or Municipal Entities. If the highway department or city failed to pre-treat roads, clear snow, or warn drivers of dangerous road hazards, they may be partially to blame for a truck accident. 

How a Knowledgeable Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Victims

Commercial trucking companies record a lot of information regarding every delivery in transit. 

Driver logs, black box data, GPS records, and dashcam footage can help determine whether the driver ignored weather alerts or drove recklessly under the circumstances. They also have training records and maintenance logs that could prove that they didn’t provide proper training  or that the vehicle wasn’t safely maintained. Our attorneys can demand to see that information to prove whether the driver’s negligence, training company errors, or lack of maintenance caused the accident.

Accidents caused by commercial trucks cause significant physical, emotional, and financial losses, and a fair settlement considers immediate and long-term impacts of the crash. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to building strong cases, negotiating aggressively, and fighting for the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, contact us today for a free consultation.