Not too long ago, the majority of truck deliveries were made directly to stores. That means you actually had to go out to the store if you wanted to buy something.
Today, the stores are still being stocked, but now, a lot more merchandise is being dropped off at the front doors of homes and apartments. That has increased the number of trucks on the road, and with that increase comes more risks of truck accidents.
According to data from the National Safety Council, California was among the top three states with the most deaths resulting from large truck crashes in 2022, with 436. Even though the vast majority of truck routes are completed without incident, there will always be a risk.
Why are truck accidents so dangerous?
Massive Weight and Size
The most obvious reason truck accidents are so dangerous is their weight and size. Trucks have a maximum weight capacity of 80,000 pounds. Trucking companies would much rather make one trip with 80,000 pounds than two trips with 40,000 pounds.
A fully loaded semi-truck’s sheer force of impact can result in catastrophic damages and injuries. Even a truck that has no cargo still outweighs the average SUV by several tons.
Cargo Falling Off the Truck
NBC Bay Area reported on a truck spill that left a mess of chicken and beef parts on Interstate 880 in Oakland. Apparently, the truck driver didn’t even know he was losing cargo as dozens of cars spun out, causing a major backup.
A truck that loses cargo can cause more severe accidents beyond traffic jams. Debris can slam into windshields and cause severe collisions.
Multi-Vehicle Pile Ups
When a semi-truck collides with a car, the force propels that car forward. If there are other cars in that direction of the force, it can mean a chain reaction of collisions. These types of pile-ups can lead to multiple injuries and, eventually, various claims. It is essential to establish who set off the chain reaction in order to determine who should ultimately be held liable for the accident.
That is why you need to discuss what happened in your accident with a qualified truck accident attorney.
Underride/Override Crash Risk
An underride or override crash involves a small car becoming trapped in the undercarriage of a semi-truck. This can happen in sideswipe collisions when the truck recklessly changes lanes without signaling or anticipating approaching traffic.
Hazardous Cargo
At some point, everything needs to be transported by a truck. That often includes hazardous materials that are classified as flammable or toxic. A collision with these cargos can spark fires or release hazardous materials, putting the surrounding community at risk.
Longer Stopping Distances
Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of truck accidents. They occur because of the lack of proper stopping distance between a big ring and the car in front of it. A big rig needs a much greater stopping distance. The University of Utah put together the stats that find an average truck needs around 525 feet to come to a complete stop when traveling at 55 mph.
That’s about the same distance as two football fields. Do you keep that much distance between you and a truck?
Larger Blind Spots
Commercial trucks have larger blind spots than the average sedan or SUV. Remember, a trucker doesn’t have a review mirror. They depend on their side view mirrors or collision warning cameras.
Even with that technology, a motorcyclist, biker, or pedestrian could accidentally slip into the truck’s blind spot and become injured.
Getting Your Entitled Compensation
A truck driver is also susceptible to the same kind of negligent driving conditions as every other driver.
They can become distracted by a cell or eating food when driving. They can also speed and drive recklessly. If you’ve been involved in a serious collision with a semi-truck, you’re entitled to seek fair compensation for all your financial losses.
Those include the following:
- Property damage to your car
- Ambulance transportation fees
- Emergency room care
- Hospitalization stay
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative care
- Loss of wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Disability or disfigurement and
- Wrongful death of a family member
All of those losses have to be carefully calculated by an attorney who has experience with this exact type of accident.
The attorneys at Frost Law Firm, PC, have that experience. We understand the traffic laws, trucking regulations, and how to negotiate with insurance carriers and truck companies. When we take on a claim, we support our clients every step of the way.
Call to set up a consultation today.
