Car truck accides can be absolutely devastating. The sheer size and weight difference between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle make these accidents far more dangerous than a typical car crash. This can leave those involved feeling scared and confused about what to do next. Plus, dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident is often stressful and frustrating. This makes it all the more important to have information and support on your side. Let’s break down what makes car truck accidents so dangerous, what you can do to protect yourself, and how to get help after an accident.
Table Of Contents:
- Why
Car Truck Accident
s are More Dangerous - Protecting Yourself When Sharing the Road with Trucks
- What To Do After a
Car Truck Accident - Seeking Legal Help
- Conclusion
Why
Car Truck Accident
s are More Dangerous
It’s pretty obvious that semis are much bigger and heavier than regular cars, but the impact of that difference during an accident is something many people don’t really grasp until they’ve been through it. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is more than 20-30 times the weight of the average car.
This makes the force of impact during a car truck accident
far greater, leading to more severe injuries and more damage. That’s why in car truck accidents, the occupants of the passenger vehicle are often more seriously hurt or, sadly, even killed. These types of accidents are more likely to involve a lawsuit because of the severity of injuries that are often involved.
Underride Accidents
Another scary aspect of car truck accidents is something called “underride accidents.” This happens when a car crashes into the back or side of a truck and ends up going partially or completely under the trailer. The truck’s higher ground clearance makes this a possibility in sideswipe accidents involving both the back and the side of the truck.
The results of underride accidents can be horrific. They often lead to crushing injuries to those inside the car. Rear underride guards are supposed to prevent this, but tests done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show even the legally required guards sometimes fail. That failure can be disastrous, even in low-speed accidents.
Trucker Fatigue
Another significant factor in many
car truck accident
s is something you probably think about a lot: trucker fatigue. It’s common knowledge that some truckers feel pressured to drive for extremely long hours to meet deadlines. This kind of pressure, along with driving truck for many hours, makes mistakes more likely.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has rules about how many hours truck drivers can spend on the road, in addition to tracking how many hours they drive using electronic logbooks. These rules are important, but some drivers bend or even break them.
Truckers also deal with demanding delivery quotas, which might push them to stay behind the wheel longer than they should. Even mild fatigue can impact a driver’s judgment and reaction time. Imagine being on a long drive, getting tired, and maybe even drifting a little in your lane. Now think about that scenario with a vehicle 20 times heavier, with much more momentum – that’s why driver fatigue is so dangerous when it comes to semi-trucks. This problem sometimes leads to head-on collisions because the tired driver slowly drifts into oncoming lanes as they nod off.
Blood Alcohol Concentration
In 2020 alone, there were 11,000 large truck crashes where at least one driver had a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit. All drivers can be charged with a DUI, but the rules around alcohol consumption are stricter for commercial drivers.
Someone driving a standard passenger vehicle can be charged with a DUI if their BAC is 0.08 or above, but for a commercial truck driver, it is 0.04. This is because of the significant responsibility truck drivers have to keep other drivers safe on the road.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk truck driver, it’s important to contact a lawyer that handles trucking accidents. They will be able to tell you whether or not you have a case and how to pursue compensation from the trucking company or driver.
Limited Maneuverability
A loaded tractor-trailer requires 20%-40% more distance than cars to stop. Because of their size and weight, big trucks just don’t move as nimbly as smaller vehicles.
You already know this from just watching semis on the highway, but think about what that means if there’s a sudden need to change lanes, swerve, or brake quickly – sometimes there just isn’t enough time or space to get it done. This is why you see more rear-end truck accidents than other types.
Wide turns are another factor many people aren’t really aware of until they see it. This is another safety concern related to size and limited maneuverability. What looks like enough room for a car might not be enough for a big truck.
Often a driver needs to swing out to the left before starting a right turn. This maneuver allows the trailer to clear the curb or other objects during the turn. But, this creates a dangerous situation for vehicles in neighboring lanes.
They may crash into the trailer or even get caught underneath the truck as it swings left. That’s why the FMCSA recommends drivers should go straight to the furthest lane on the road, then maneuver right to complete the turn. It might seem counterintuitive, but that’s actually a safer way for truckers to make wide right turns.
Protecting Yourself When Sharing the Road with Trucks
As scary as some of those risks sound, remember that sharing the road with trucks is a reality for most of us. And, millions of trucks get to their destinations safely every day. By following these precautions, you can reduce your risk of a serious accident.
Following Distance
As much as it’s frustrating to be stuck behind a truck that’s moving slowly, stay alert. The space behind a truck should not be an invitation to tailgate in an attempt to pass as quickly as possible.
We know semis have bigger blind spots and they can’t stop as quickly. Following the FMCSA-recommended following distance is important in giving truckers (and you) space to make changes and prevent a collision.
Visibility and Blind Spots
Semi-trucks have way bigger blind spots than passenger cars. That’s why spending too much time next to a big truck is so dangerous.
Stay Alert
When you’re driving near large trucks, focus on the road. Driving defensively means anticipating what might happen and reacting in time to keep everyone safe. Being aware of your surroundings and giving those semis plenty of space can drastically reduce your risk.
It sounds simple but driving drowsy, distracted, or aggressively only increases your risk of getting in an accident.
What To Do After a
Car Truck Accident
No one wants to think about getting into a car accident, let alone one involving a semi. But, knowing what to do immediately after a
car truck accident
can keep you safe and make it more likely you’ll be treated fairly as you navigate the claims process.
Even minor accidents involving trucks are usually pretty scary, but do your best to follow these steps to get the help you need.
Ensure Safety and Call for Help
The first and most important thing after a car truck accident is safety. After a car truck accide, check on yourself and any passengers to see if you have injuries. If it’s safe, move your car to a location away from traffic and turn on your hazards.
Always call 911 immediately to report the accident, whether there are injuries or not. You’ll need to tell them the location of the accident and a basic description of what happened. The 911 operator will dispatch police and, if needed, an ambulance.
While waiting for the police to arrive, you can exchange insurance information with the other drivers involved and make notes about what you remember. You can also gather photos of the scene.
Seek Medical Attention
After a car truck accident, it is imperative you get a medical evaluation. Don’t downplay any discomfort, aches, or pains. Medical bills from accidents can be expensive, but the well-being of those involved is the priority.
Addressing potential injuries early makes it more likely your health insurance will cover related expenses.
Document and Preserve Evidence
Information about your crash is more likely to be accurate if you document what you can right away. Pictures of the scene can also support what you tell insurance companies and any attorney that’s assisting you.
Take photos of the damage to all the vehicles, skid marks, and any debris. Details you may not think are important could later make all the difference to investigators, attorneys, or insurance companies as they try to determine who is at fault.
Understanding Legal Rights and Options
Accidents can be complex from a legal perspective, and ones involving large commercial trucks even more so. Federal regulations apply to these commercial drivers, which is why seeking guidance from experienced truck accident attorneys can make a huge difference. They know the federal regulations, the unique aspects of commercial vehicle accident investigations, and insurance claims procedures that come with a car truck accident.
Sometimes insurance companies try to minimize payouts. It happens more often than you’d think. If the trucking company was negligent – maybe they put pressure on the driver to drive longer hours than allowed or maybe they skipped some maintenance – an attorney can make sure that comes to light.
Your rights to fair compensation will vary depending on things like state law and who was determined to be at fault for the accident, which is why getting legal help is so critical after car truck accidents.
The Weight of Federal Oversight
Trucks traveling between states have to follow a huge list of federal safety regulations that regular cars don’t have to think about. Those big rigs are essentially rolling businesses, and their operation, safety standards, equipment, and even how long drivers can be on the road are overseen by the federal government, mostly through two agencies – the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Highway Administration. The rules are complex but carry the force of law and cover pretty much every aspect of commercial trucks on the road, including driver training, load limits, equipment inspections, and those “Hours of Service” rules we talked about earlier.
Commercial drivers that are only driving within a particular state are often regulated at the state level, in addition to basic rules all drivers need to follow. Tennessee, for instance, relies on both the Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to set the standards for commercial trucking within their borders.
A truck accident case may involve many different parties such as the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the cargo being hauled, or even the manufacturer of a defective truck part. Many trucking accidents occur in Maryland, but Baltimore County and Baltimore City see more than their fair share.
Seeking Legal Help
When it comes to a car truck accident, filing a wrongful death lawsuit may be your option to financially recover if it resulted from someone else’s negligence. Accidents can often lead to substantial financial burdens due to medical bills, lost income, car repairs, and many other unforeseen expenses. Hiring a personal injury attorney who knows how to build a case involving the intricacies of federal trucking regulations can improve your chances of getting fair treatment and financial recovery after your accident.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, consider hiring an attorney to explore the best path for you. They are there to make this complicated situation as clear as possible. You should not feel alone while trying to navigate all of this.
Conclusion
While sharing the road with commercial trucks is a common necessity, the dangers of a
car truck accident
are real. By driving cautiously and making smart choices, you can minimize the chances of an accident. And if a
car truck accident
does happen, know that you don’t have to face the legal and financial aftermath alone. With knowledgeable professionals on your side, you’ll get help sorting through this complicated situation to recover fairly from this painful and often life-altering event.
