Trucking accidents are some of the most devastating types of motor vehicle collisions. These crashes often result in severe injuries and fatalities due to the size, weight, and sheer force of commercial trucks. While car accidents are dangerous, the unique characteristics of trucking accidents make them far more deadly.
Size and Weight of Trucks
Trucking accidents tend to have a higher fatality rate compared to car accidents, primarily due to the substantial size and weight of commercial trucks. A fully loaded truck can tip the scales at up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs significantly less, ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. This vast weight difference creates a dangerous imbalance in the event of a collision, often leading to catastrophic damage to smaller vehicles and potentially devastating consequences.
In truck-car collisions, the force of impact is much greater because of the truck’s momentum. When a truck crashes into a car, the energy transfer can cause devastating damage to the vehicle and severe injuries to its occupants. Cars often get crushed, and the occupants may suffer life-threatening injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even death.
Drivers of smaller vehicles should maintain a safe distance when driving near large trucks. Be mindful of a truck’s blind spots and avoid sudden lane changes in front of trucks to prevent being rear-ended.
Longer Stopping Distance
Trucks need considerably more time and distance to stop completely than passenger cars, primarily due to their weight and braking system mechanics. At highway speeds, a commercial truck may require up to twice the stopping distance of a passenger car. This increased stopping distance heightens the risk of rear-end collisions, particularly in scenarios where traffic halts abruptly or if a car cuts off a truck.
When a truck rear-ends a smaller vehicle, the consequences can be deadly. Due to the truck’s weight and force, it can crush the car, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities for the car’s occupants. Truck drivers should always maintain a safe following distance and remain vigilant, especially in high-traffic areas. Likewise, car drivers should avoid cutting off trucks, as this reduces the truck driver’s reaction time.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often work long hours on the road, which can lead to driver fatigue. Fatigue is a common cause of trucking accidents, as it impairs the driver’s ability to react quickly, make sound judgments, and stay focused. Even though there are federal regulations in place that limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road (known as Hours of Service regulations), violations still occur.
Driver fatigue is especially dangerous in trucking accidents because the impact of a drowsy or sleeping truck driver crashing into another vehicle can be devastating. A truck driver falling asleep at the wheel could cause multi-vehicle collisions or veer off the road, causing significant property damage and injury.
Both truck drivers and their employers must adhere to federal Hours of Service regulations to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Truckers should take regular breaks and avoid driving if they feel drowsy.
Cargo Load and Shifting
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can make trucking accidents far more dangerous. Cargo that shifts during transit can cause a truck to become unbalanced, leading to rollovers or jackknife accidents. Additionally, improperly loaded cargo can extend the stopping distance of the truck, increase the likelihood of losing control, or cause the cargo to spill onto the roadway, creating hazards for other drivers.
In some cases, hazardous materials are transported by truck, and if an accident occurs, these materials can spill, leading to fires, explosions, or toxic chemical exposure. This makes trucking accidents not only more deadly but also more complex to handle in emergencies.
Trucking companies and drivers must ensure that cargo is properly loaded and secured to prevent shifting during transit. Adhering to weight limits and securing hazardous materials is crucial for safety.
Blind Spots
Large trucks have significant blind spots, also known as “no-zones. Blind spots surround trucks on all sides, making it challenging for drivers to spot smaller vehicles. If a car remains in a truck’s blind spot when the truck changes lanes or turns, it risks being sideswiped or pushed off the road, potentially leading to a fatal accident.
Many car drivers are unaware of these blind spots and unintentionally place themselves in danger by driving too close to trucks. The inability to see smaller vehicles in these no-zones makes trucking accidents more deadly.
Drivers of passenger vehicles should avoid lingering in a truck’s blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirrors, the driver likely can’t see you either. Always give trucks plenty of room to maneuver.
Speed and Highway Driving
Most trucking accidents occur on highways, where vehicles are traveling at high speeds. The higher the speed, the greater the impact during a collision. Trucks driving at high speeds take longer to stop, and the force of a high-speed crash can cause cars to roll, flip, or be crushed under the truck.
Speeding is a common issue in trucking accidents. Truck drivers may speed to meet delivery deadlines, or they may misjudge the time it will take to stop at highway speeds. Speeding trucks are much harder to control, and any sudden braking or turning can lead to a serious accident.
Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits, especially in areas where traffic congestion is common. Passenger car drivers should remain cautious when traveling at high speeds near trucks and avoid sudden lane changes.
Truck Rollover Accidents
Due to their size and higher center of gravity, trucks are more prone to rollovers, especially when taking sharp turns or driving on uneven terrain. When a truck rolls over, it can cause multi-vehicle accidents and significant damage to surrounding cars. The truck itself can also block multiple lanes of traffic, causing chain-reaction crashes.
Rollover accidents can occur because of driver error, speeding, or cargo shifting, making them more frequent and deadly compared to typical car accidents.
Truck drivers should take extra caution when driving in conditions that could lead to rollovers, such as sharp turns, winding roads, and high winds. Properly balancing and securing cargo can also prevent rollover accidents.
Preventing Deadly Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents are far more deadly than car accidents due to the size and weight of trucks, longer stopping distances, driver fatigue, and other unique challenges associated with commercial vehicles. Both truck drivers and other road users must take precautions to avoid these dangerous collisions. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, contacting a truck accident lawyer is essential to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.