Even though all types of auto accident are dangerous and have the potential to cause life-altering injuries, truck accidents are nearly, if not always catastrophic or fatal. Unfortunately, they’re becoming quite common. According to the Truck Safety Coalition, about 5,000 people died in truck crashes last year, marking a 46% increase in truck crash deaths since 2009. Understanding how truck and car accidents differ is the key to improving road safety for every road user.
Discussed herein are reasons why truck accidents tend to be more devastating than car accidents:
The average car weighs between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds. Even the biggest SUV is usually about 5,000 pounds. Trucks on the other hand are much larger. An axle truck weighs 34,000 pounds on its own. Add in a trailer and cargo, and its weight can push up to 80,000 pounds.
This extreme size and weight difference between a truck and a regular vehicle means that even a minor collision between the two ends up in devastating results.
Unfortunately, the regular car often bears the brunt of the impact. What would be a minor fender-bender between two ordinary cars may leave the passenger car completely wrecked, and its parties severely injured when involved in a crash with a truck.
With regular passenger cars, there’s absolutely no risk of jackknife or runaway trucks. However, when it comes to trucks, even if the driver is being careful and following all the relevant road rules, there’s always a chance the trailer might jackknife due to coupling malfunctions or its weight.
The result? Any oncoming car will crash into it, and the results may be catastrophic if not fatal. Besides jackknifing, the coupling may come apart, resulting in a runaway trailer. The results are even more tragic since the trailer has no control, and will crash through pretty much anything that’s on its path.
Truck accidents are generally devastating than regular accidents because of their size and weight alone. However, they become even more severe due to the cargo they carry. A truck may not collide with a regular car, but if it rolls over, it may spill heavy cargo onto nearby vehicles.
What’s more, the cargo may be flammable or toxic which further increases the risk of fatalities since a spill may cause an explosion, fire, or exposure at the accident scene.
Although passenger to passenger car accidents are no better, such risks are often not much of a concern.
Truck accident claims are different from regular vehicle accident claims because the risks is often high and the injuries tend to be more severe. However, other than that, when it comes to a truck accident, you’ll be dealing with more than just the driver. When passenger to passenger car crashes occur, you’ll only deal with the other driver. But when you’re involved in a truck accident, the following parties are often liable:
In other words, truck accidents are more complex to navigate. Therefore, it is advisable that you get yourself a truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Remember, most if not all, trucking companies, truck manufacturers, freight brokers, or any other parties mentioned above usually employ the best possible commercial insurers. It’s only sensible you do the same. Get in touch with our team today to schedule a free consultation.
blogs
Car Specific Repair Issues: When to Invoke California’s Lemon Laws and How RS Laws Can Help
Car specific problems are the leading cause of recalls by most automakers and dealers globally. Last year, for instance, over 20,000 units of Volkswagen Golf MK.8 were recalled because of a software bug. Earlier this year, Volvo stated that they were planning to issue a recall for some of their cars. How do such car […]
Accidents with the Uninsured
Let’s say the worst happens and you find yourself in a serious car accident. Even if everything after the crash goes according to plan, it is a difficult and confusing process. But if you add to all this the fact that the other person is not insured, you could be left facing an absolute nightmare. […]
Cell Phones and Accidents on the Road
We have all done it. Even with the headsets, the hands-free devices, and the ability to connect your phone to your car, all of us have reached for the phone while driving. Whether it’s checking a quick text at a stoplight or messing around with your maps app while driving in a new place, the […]
Five Types of Truck Accidents
Trucks are paramount to our country’s economy. Over 15 million trucks move across the country, transporting consumer goods from one state to another every day. But despite their essential place in our society, trucks are pretty dangerous and pose a high risk to every road user. It pays to know the different types of accidents […]
Involved In A Car Accident? Here’s Why You Should Engage a Car Accident Lawyer
It is never easy to live a normal life after surviving the horrors of a severe car wreck. In the United States alone, millions of individuals get injured in car accidents every year. According to research, most of these disasters are caused by several factors that include speeding, inattentive driving, inexperienced driving, reckless driving, and […]
Who is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycles provide less inherent safety than vehicles. As a result, motorcycle accidents have a greater impact on the motorcyclist than a motorist driving a car. According to the NHTSA motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die than car occupants in a crash per vehicle mile traveled. Identifying the party at fault is critical to […]
The Most Unsafe Era for Pedestrians in 40 Years
Pedestrian safety is of utmost importance right now, and not just because pedestrians legally have the right of way in most places in the United States. Being asafer pedestrian is always key to avoiding injuries by being aware of ones surroundings and avoiding distractions, but as it stands, North Americans are not stemming the tide […]
Winter Driving Safety Tips
Having your winter tires installed on your car and packing a windshield scraper is a good start to being prepared to drive in the winter, but as the cold weather gets harsher, the driving conditions get worse. With this comes the tendency for some people to overcorrect or not know how to stop properly, or […]
Hotels and Personal Injuries
Everyone is looking to travel right about now. Summer is getting into full swing, and whether you are looking to see a distant land or reacquaint yourself with familiar faces, you’re probably planning your next big adventure, too. Besides the normal precautions, like ensuring home security while you’re away, or booking some travel insurance, you […]
Hellcats and Risky Driving
As Americans, and especially Californians, a lot of us love fast cars. But what happens when the speeds of our cars surpass the safety training of the average driver? Let’s take a look at understanding what the Hellcat trend includes, how it could impact you as a driver on the road, and why it can […]
contact form
