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(877) 880-4090Trucks contribute to our economy by providing many essential services. They spend significant amounts of time on the roads, delivering raw materials to manufacturers and transporting goods. Due to their weight and magnitude, truck accidents can result in severe injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, 159,000 people sustained injuries stemming from truck crashes in 2019. Collisions with these large vehicles can be catastrophic, causing considerable bodily and property damage.
Trucks weigh more than passenger vehicles and also spend more time on the road, increasing the number of crashes and subsequent bodily damages. Often, a driver’s carelessness causes truck wrecks to occur. Read on to learn some of the most common types.
This type of accident is common for all kinds of automobiles. However, when a big truck hits the back of a traditional car, the damage can be severe. Busy expressways with high-speed limits can present an increased risk for this type of crash.
Large trucks wear out their tires more quickly than passenger cars. They not only spend significant periods on the road but also put more stress on the tires due to the truck’s weight. When a tire blows, the driver can lose control of the rig, leading to accidents.
If a truck does not have enough time to slow down, sudden braking can cause the semitrailer to fold at a 90-degree angle. This situation creates hazardous conditions for anyone in the truck’s path. Depending on the crash circumstances, the trailer can break away from the cab, creating even more havoc.
A truck driver may hit another vehicle or force them off the road while changing lanes. The expansive size of commercial trucks creates many blind spots for the drivers. Truckers refer to these areas as “No Zones” because they cannot see other cars in these spots.
When a truck loses its grip on the road, it can slide to the side and cause a rollover. These causes of these accidents include various elements, such as:
Speeding around curves and reckless driving can also contribute to rollovers.
While making a right turn, truck drivers must leave a wide gap because steering such a large rig requires more space. The truck can accidentally strike cars that drive up between the semitrailer and the curb.
This kind of broadside collision happens when one automobile smashes directly into the side of another vehicle. A car’s side structure offers very little protection for passengers, leading to severe or fatal injuries. These accidents often occur at intersections and can be catastrophic when involving a commercial truck.
If a truck stops quickly or parks improperly without placing the appropriate warnings, approaching cars can fail to stop in time and get stuck underneath the semitrailer. This disastrous type of crash can result in devastating injuries or death.
When a truck hits another car head-on, the weight and speed of the commercial vehicle make the resulting crash especially dangerous. The impact’s force upon the smaller automobile often ejects the passenger from the car, leading to death in many cases.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration dictates the criteria for loading semitrailer freight securely. A driver’s negligence regarding these rules can lead to hazardous conditions when cargo falls from the truck during transit. If drivers do not secure their loads correctly, the materials can spill onto the road, causing accidents for other motorists.
Many things contribute to crashes involving commercial vehicles. People driving passenger cars and truck drivers alike must know a truck’s limitations and risks. Big rigs present unique dangers to smaller automobiles on the road because of their sheer size and weight. Even minor driving mistakes can result in disaster when an incident involves a large truck.
Some examples of driver or trucking company negligence include:
Many other aspects can lead to dangerous incidents involving trucks.
Intense winds can make it impossible for the truck driver to control the vehicle, resulting in potential hazards for themselves and others on the road. When the wind is blowing heavily, the tractor-trailers attached to the semi cabs can drift out of the driving lane. Wind can also blow dust or debris onto the road, causing an accumulation that creates dangerous obstructions.
Snow, rain, fog and ice make it challenging for anyone to drive. Handling a large truck is especially difficult during adverse weather events when visibility is low, and roads are slick or flooded. When the weather is bad, the likelihood of accidents rises.
When the streets contain potholes, cracking and other dangers, it can lead to accidents. Shoulder drop-offs, wheel grooves, and faded road markings present hazards to everyone on the road, especially for substantially-sized commercial vehicles.
According to CDL Knowledge, 74% of fatal crashes involve a large truck. When a truck gets in a wreck, the damage is severe, and people in passenger vehicles can suffer extensive bodily harm. Some typical injuries stemming from truck collisions include:
Injuries resulting from semi truck wrecks can be physically and psychologically devastating. Many times, damages caused by truck collisions can be life-altering. You will likely need extensive medical treatments and face costly bills. You may require physical therapy or no longer be able to return to work and other daily activities.
It is vital that you understand your legal options. If you are in a collision with a commercial truck, you need to take action to protect your rights. At Fielding Law, our lawyers focus on personal injury and accident claims to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Our professionals have the experience, knowledge and skill to comprehend the complications of your case, investigate the events surrounding your incident and negotiate with insurance companies. Our team can help collect crucial evidence, identify liable parties, speak with eyewitnesses and build your claim.
We understand the details of truck crash cases and work to defend your legal rights. We settle most cases outside of court but provide guidance during legal proceedings if necessary.
There are around 500,000 truck accidents each year in the United States. We offer free evaluations to help you make the best decisions moving forward. Contact our attorneys right away if you sustain injuries involving a large commercial vehicle.
Sources:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813110
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/cargo-securement-rules
https://www.cdlknowledge.com/truck-accident-statistics/
https://policyadvice.net/insurance/insights/truck-accident-statistics/