Winter brings snow-covered roads, and with them, the rumble of plows working to clear the way. But what happens when one of these massive vehicles collides with your parked car or sideswipes you on the highway? The damage can be significant, and you have the right to pursue compensation from the responsible parties. Liability in snow plow accidents can depend on several factors, including who was operating the plow and what caused the accident. Contact our Milwaukee personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.
What Factors Can Lead to a Milwaukee Snow Plow Accident?
Snow plows clear the roads so you can get to work, school, and home safely after a storm. Most are operated by municipal or state employees, but private contractors also handle snow removal in some areas.
These large, heavy machines can cause serious damage when accidents occur. Several factors commonly contribute to snow plow accidents:
- Inadequate training and inexperience: Operating a snow plow requires specialized skills that differ from driving a standard vehicle. Drivers who lack proper training may fail to use safety features like flashing lights or misjudge the plow’s size, increasing collision risk.
- Careless or reckless driving: When plow operators speed, change lanes without signaling, or drive recklessly, they put other vehicles at risk. Given the plow’s size and weight, even minor carelessness can result in substantial damage.
- Poor visibility and blind spots: Snow plows create their own hazards by kicking up snow and debris, which obscures the driver’s view. Combined with large blind spots inherent to these vehicles and the fact that plows often operate during early morning hours or after dark, reduced visibility becomes a recipe for accidents.
Determining Liability When a Wisconsin Snow Plow Damages Your Car
To establish liability after a snow plow accident, you must prove that someone’s negligence caused the damage to your vehicle. This could point to the plow driver, their employer, or even a third party depending on the circumstances.
The driver may be liable if they were speeding, driving distracted, or otherwise violating traffic rules. If the plow is operated by a private contractor or government agency, the employer might share responsibility under vicarious liability particularly if the driver was inadequately trained, overworked, or operating faulty equipment.
In some cases, a manufacturer could be liable if a mechanical defect contributed to the accident, or a maintenance crew might bear responsibility if improper upkeep led to equipment failure.
Dealing with Government Agencies After a Snow Plow Accident
When government entities are involved, claims become more complex due to sovereign immunity laws that can limit your ability to pursue legal action. These cases often come with strict deadlines; you must provide the government agency with notice of your claim within 120 days of the accident.
That’s why immediately documenting everything is critical. Take photos of the damage, the accident scene, and any identifying information about the plow. Contact your insurance company to report the damage and consult an attorney who handles claims against government agencies.
Discuss Your Case with a Wisconsin Property Damage Attorney
Dealing with vehicle damage from a snow plow is frustrating enough without having to navigate a claim alone. A Wisconsin personal injury attorney can help prepare your case and guide you through the unique procedural requirements that apply especially when filing claims against the government. Contact us for a free legal consultation today to discuss your snow plow damage case and begin fighting for the compensation you deserve at (262) 883-8955.