Large trucks carry more freight by weight than all other transportation modes combined. Without semitrucks, delivery vans, and other commercial motor vehicles, the American economy would grind to a halt.
However, there is a tradeoff. An 18-wheeler can injure road users, destroy property, and pollute the environment in a truck accident. After a collision, a trucking accident lawyer fights trucking companies as well as their insurers and sureties for fair injury compensation.
The Dangers of Colliding With an 18-Wheeler
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. has fewer truck accidents than auto accidents. However, trucks are 20% to 55% more likely to be involved in a fatal accident by vehicle miles traveled. In other words, for every mile a vehicle is on the road, a semi is up to 55% more likely to kill someone than a car.
This phenomenon occurs for several reasons.
Truck Stopping Distance and Lack of Maneuverability
Stopping distance is the distance traveled from the time the driver perceives a hazard until the vehicle stops moving. An automobile driver and a truck driver have the same perception and reaction times. Because of their training, truck drivers might even react more quickly than auto drivers.
However, the time to stop the vehicle depends heavily on its weight and braking system. Trucks use pneumatic brakes, which take longer to pressurize than a car’s hydraulic brakes. Once the brakes engage, a heavier truck requires more distance to stop than a lighter car.
Using concrete numbers, a semitruck traveling 65 miles per hour requires 525 feet to stop. By contrast, a car traveling at the same speed requires only 316 feet. Thus, autos can avoid crashes that trucks cannot.
Moreover, when a collision occurs, a truck will collide at a higher speed than an automobile since it cannot brake as quickly over the same distance.
Trucks are also less maneuverable than automobiles. A semitruck’s 18-foot turning radius is double that of a typical passenger vehicle. Thus, a semi often cannot maneuver around a hazard, such as a braking vehicle.
Size and Weight: Why 18-Wheelers Cause More Severe Damage
Size and weight do more than increase turning radius and braking distance. They also translate into more crash energy. An 18-wheeler weighs 20 to 40 times more than an automobile, giving it 20 to 40 times more energy at the same speed.
In a collision, most crash energy goes into bending metal, twisting plastic, and destroying body tissues. Since trucks are built using sturdier materials, this energy goes into mangling the passenger vehicle, not the truck.
Also, the truck’s height and weight protect its driver. According to the National Safety Council, passenger vehicle occupants experience 70% of the fatalities and 73% of the injuries in truck crashes. By contrast, truck drivers only account for 19% of deaths and 26% of injuries.
The Impact of Cargo and Load on an 18-Wheeler Crash
A fully loaded semitruck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds without an overweight permit. Cargo weight increases the stopping distance and crash energy. It can also contribute to crashes by shifting or falling during transport.
Hazardous loads can also worsen the outcome of a crash. Toxic or flammable substances can ignite or poison crash victims when released.
Increased Risk of Rollovers and Jackknife Accidents
Semitrucks have a much higher risk of rollover accidents due to their height. This risk increases if the truck is improperly loaded with a high center of gravity. A careless driver can also increase the risk of rolling over by speeding, turning too sharply, or running off the road.
A rollover crash is potentially deadly because the trailer can tip in front of or on top of cars in an adjacent lane.
Jackknife accidents occur when the angle between the tractor and trailer is so small that the driver cannot control the trailer. These crashes are dangerous because they can block multiple lanes of traffic, causing collisions and chain reaction accidents.
Driver Fatigue and Errors: Contributing Factors in 18-Wheeler Accidents
A commercial trucking company is required to follow federal rules that limit driving time. These rules are enforced using electronic logging devices. However, drivers and companies sometimes skirt the rules, putting profits ahead of safety.
Fatigued drivers are less alert and have slower reactions. They may also be tempted to use drugs to keep themselves awake. In either case, these drivers make mistakes that can lead to collisions.
Common Injuries in Crashes Involving 18-Wheelers
Because of the energy involved, truck crashes often result in catastrophic injuries. Where an automobile crash might simply hyperextend a driver’s neck, a truck crash could snap it.
Some injuries that can happen in a semitruck accident include the following:
- Burns, including chemical burns from hazardous substances
- Fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
These injuries might require hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical treatment and disable victims permanently.
FAQ
What Are the Most Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the top causes of heavy truck accidents are brake failure, speeding, and unfamiliarity with roads.
Why Do I Need a Trucking Accident Attorney After a Crash?
Trucking companies must carry large insurance policies and surety bonds to pay for losses after collisions. However, these companies will fight to avoid paying claims. A lawyer can stand up to these powerful companies, gathering and submitting evidence proving the trucking company’s liability for the crash.
What Compensation Can I Seek for 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries?
You can seek compensation for your economic losses, such as medical costs and lost wages. You can also recover compensation for non-economic losses, including pain and suffering.
Contact Us After a Devastating 18-Wheeler Crash
You may face significant financial losses and physical disabilities after a truck accident. Ramsey Law Group has over 25 years of experience fighting powerful trucking companies for fair compensation. Contact us to learn how we can help you.