When a truck crashes into a standard car like a coupe or sedan, the aftermath is almost always greater than a mere fender bender. This is especially true with a large commercial truck. These incidents frequently lead to devastating damage, including injury and death. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes share the roadways. Step and walk-in delivery vehicles, semi-trucks, big rigs, and 18-wheelers all pose a unique level of risk. Safety regulations help to an extent, but there is no way to defeat physics. A large vehicle, plus speed, colliding with a smaller vehicle spells disaster.
It’s important to understand why truck accidents can occur, and also why they can be so catastrophic. Taking a closer look at the mechanics behind these crashes and covering physical realities can be helpful when seeking legal help. Victims of these accidents often face overwhelming physical, emotional, and even financial stress in the aftermath. Speaking with a qualified truck accident lawyer like those at Thomas Law Offices can provide important guidance and clarity during a very difficult time.
The Massive Size and Weight Disparity
The most obvious reason that truck accidents are often so brutal is the sheer disparity in the size and weight of the involved vehicles. Generally speaking, a small sedan or a light SUV weighs between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds. A semi-truck, however, even if not fully loaded, can weigh in excess of 50,000 pounds. Not only is this ten times the weight, but the physics change entirely with the rate of speed. Even the safest vehicles are no match for the crushing force of a commercial truck in an accident.
Kinetic energy transfers upon a collision, and the force is immense. The entire structural frame of the smaller, lighter vehicle has no other physical option but to yield to the larger force. Even with modern vehicles that have crumple zones, side-curtain airbags, and reinforced cages, they still buckle under the force. The issue here is that this also includes the passenger cabin. Occupants are effectively at the mercy of luck when a collision happens.
Underride collisions are also a potentially terrifying crash result on the road. With many commercial trucks being so high, smaller vehicles can completely fit underneath the truck. This introduces a crushing force that will inevitably drag the small vehicle along until the larger truck stops. The biggest danger here is that the topsides of cars do not have many safety features. Crushing through the roof and the windshield creates a catastrophe that cannot be mitigated or avoided during these types of accidents. Survivors almost always have to deal with severe injuries and long recovery roads.
High Speed and Long Stopping Distances
One of the most critical factors that elevates the severity of truck accidents is the speed at which trucks are traveling. On any sort of highway, you’re likely dealing with at least 60 miles per hour. The immense weight of these trucks means that it’s much harder to stop them. Even with advanced braking systems, trucks require a healthy distance to reach a full stop, and that’s under ideal road conditions. If the roads are wet or icy, the trucks may not be able to stop in time. It usually takes about 600 feet for a truck to safely stop at highway speeds. This is the length of two football fields. Bad road conditions require more room to stop.
There are many different variables on the highway that can increase the likelihood of a truck collision. Wrecks up ahead causing sudden, unforeseen slowdowns prompt thousands of crashes every year. Unexpected obstacles on the road also increase the likelihood of a crash. Another terrifying factor is the fact that any collision can cause a multi-car pileup. The truck’s force pushes the smaller car into other cars on the road. A single accident involving a truck can result in dozens of additional crashes and injuries.
Hazardous Cargo and Mechanical Failures
Another serious factor in crash injuries can include what the trucks themselves are hauling. Many of these trucks are carrying logs, industrial equipment, and even hazardous materials like flammable liquids, toxic chemicals, and gases. Motorists can be harmed by the truck’s contents, not just the physical crash itself.
Fuel, for instance, can quickly ignite during a collision. Metal colliding and sliding creates sparks and more than enough heat to ignite fuel. This can cause other vehicles to literally catch fire and even explode. The trucks themselves can explode. Thousands of life-threatening injuries every year involve severe burns. These gruesome, debilitating injuries cause serious trauma, and some people never fully recover. It’s vital to attempt to keep your distance from these big trucks on the road. They’re not only an immediate threat of collision but also of secondary injuries due to what they’re hauling.
Mechanical Failures
Another leading cause of commercial truck accidents is mechanical failure. This is a category, not just any one thing. Mechanical failure can involve the brakes going out, steering malfunctions, blown tires, detached trailers, and more. Trucking companies are no strangers to skirting the rigorous regulations in order to save time and money. Many people have been hurt due to company negligence from the very top, ultimately resulting in mechanical failure on the road. Consulting a truck accident lawyer as a victim is the best thing you can do to navigate your case successfully.
In Conclusion
The consequences of an accident involving a commercial truck are rarely minor. Dealing with so much speed and weight means that these accidents rarely end well. Once you take into account the cargo a truck is carrying and the “busy” factor of any highway, a single crash can turn into a catastrophic event for dozens of motorists. Truck accidents are an important area of focus in any legal practice handling automobile accidents and insurance. This is unfortunately because it’s very rare that someone walks away from a truck accident without a serious injury. These accidents typically affect a person’s quality of life.
Understanding the unique factors that contribute to the severity of these accidents underlines the importance of sharing the road safely with commercial vehicles. It also highlights the extreme importance of paying attention to traffic laws and safety regulations. It’s best to stay as far away from trucks on the road as you can. If you have been involved in a truck accident, contacting a qualified lawyer should definitely be one of your first steps.
