Common Causes of Snow Plow Accidents

Snow plows are typically operated by the employees of a municipality, city, or state and are funded by the taxpayers’ dollars. In more rural or unincorporated areas, they might also be driven by individuals. They provide a fundamental service that allows daily operations to resume as normal and helps to get cars back on the road after a large snowstorm and drive safely. 

“If there is applicable insurance or the driver of the snowplow was negligent or reckless in their actions, you could have a claim against their employer’s insurance but state sovereign immunity makes these claims a little different from your typical tort against a private party.”

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Gary Burger

Personal Injury Attorney

That said, snow plows are large, heavy vehicles, and when they accidentally collide with a car, they can cause serious damage. Some of the common causes of snow plow accidents include: 

• Improper training and lack of experience – Driving a snow plow is different from driving a standard car or truck and requires in-depth training and experience in order to operate one safely. Those without proper training might forget to employ certain safety features like flashing lights that help snow plows maintain visibility in poor weather conditions. Inexperienced drivers who are still learning the dimensions of the snow plow are dangerous as well and more likely to cause an accident. 

• Careless driving or driving too fast – Since snow plows are larger and heavier than most of the other vehicles on the road, they can cause tremendous damage if they hit another car. Careless driving, such as driving between lanes, turning without signaling, or speeding, can exacerbate the chance of a collision, especially when the weather is already making the roads more dangerous to drive on.
• Reduced visibility and blind spots – All vehicles have blind spots due to their shape and size. Snow plows have additional large ranges of blind spots because the snow that they are kicking up often interferes with their visibility. Additionally, snow plows often operate in the early mornings or after the sun has set, and this adds to the decreased visibility and increases the chance of colliding with another vehicle. 

Compensation for Damages in Snow Plow Accidents

Most of us see snow plows as a helpful vehicle that is intended to help everyone get back on the road after a winter storm. That said, a snow plow can cause serious damage to a car, even totaling it, depending on how quickly the plow is moving and where it hits your vehicle. In the event that your car is damaged or totaled by a snow plow and you opt to use it, here are some of the common damages that you might be compensated for:

• Reimbursement for medical bills if you are injured in the accident
• Ongoing physical therapy or medical treatment
• The cost of the ambulance ride 
• Lost wages and potential lost future wages 
• Pain and suffering
• The cost of repairs for the damage to your vehicle
• Renting a car while yours is in the shop

A snow plow accident can result in serious injuries and damage to your property. If you have been involved in an accident with a snow plow, it is advisable to speak with an experienced St. Louis, MO, car accident attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your options and next steps.