If you’ve ever found yourself boxed in between two large, fast-moving trucks while driving on the highway, or have driven past the scene of a devastating Accident caused by an 18-wheeler, chances are you’ve asked yourself the question, “Are these really necessary on the road?” They seem more dangerous than good. Unfortunately, the trucking industry is essential to the nation’s economy. Large trucks are used to transport goods in bulk over land, and we require these trucks to deliver goods to multiple destinations. So, it is even more unfortunate that despite their crucial role in the economy, these massive vehicles often cause the most damage on the roadway. The sheer size of trucks makes them a force to be reckoned with on the road. But, it’s not just their length and weight that make trucks deadly. Keep reading to discover why Truck accidents cause such devastation.

Taller Than Average Vehicles

Passenger vehicles such as sedans and SUVs have been constructed to remain stable while driving. This entails the height of the vehicle being factored into the overall design. Trucks, on the other hand, have been made much taller than average vehicles. The standard height of an 18 wheeler is 13.6 feet. Standard height for passenger vehicles ranges between 5 feet and 6 feet. Since 18-Wheeler trucks are more than twice the height of an average vehicle, they are unstable compared to cars. Therefore, trucks are more vulnerable to rollovers from wind gusts, hard cornering, and swerving. When a truck of that height and width rolls over on the roadway, it can completely crush any passenger vehicle in its path, severely injuring or killing the vehicle’s occupants. Likewise, many bridges and overpasses were not constructed with enough clearance height for trucks to pass underneath. If a truck driver uses a GPS meant for passenger vehicles, or simply takes a road they believe will accommodate them, they may not take into account the height clearance of the truck. Failing to notice this mistake, as well as failing to read proper warning signs, has caused serious truck accidents that severely impact the traffic behind the truck. When a large truck crashes abruptly, it can cause a massive pileup. Additionally, the top of the truck can be sheared off, and in some rare cases, the bridge can even be knocked down. These events further place other motorists at risk for injury or death.

Jackknifing Accidents Cause Traumatic Injuries

Semi-trucks are somewhat hard to turn. You’ve probably noticed this if you’ve ever been driving behind one and watched as its massive size ate up all adjoining lanes while turning. In fact, average turning width for a semi is 55 feet, which is nearly 5 times larger than the width of an average U.S. lane. Therefore, a common truck accident that can lead to injuries is a jackknifing-related crash. A jackknifing accident occurs when the two separate parts of the truck – the cab and the trailer – fold in on themselves at the point of separation. The cab and trailer swivel where they are linked together, forming a 90-degree angle, V-shape. Semis and other large trucks may end up jackknifing after quickly turning or suddenly breaking. When the trailer of a semi-truck jackknifes, it can swing across multiple lanes. This pendulum motion packs a punch of over 80,000 pounds and 28 feet of piercing metal. A jackknifing crash has disastrous results, causing severe personal injuries as well as death and indescribable destruction. Nearly 5 percent of all truck accidents are jackknife collisions. If you’ve been harmed in a jackknifing accident, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer today.

Hazardous Hauls Can be Catastrophic

Another factor in why tractor-trailer crashes are so dangerous is due to the freight they carry. Freight can be loaded improperly or unevenly, causing the truck to lose balance and rollover or jackknife on the road. Heavy freight such as metal or timber can be loaded haphazardly, imbalancing the truck or even breaking loose to wreak havoc on the traffic behind the truck. Or, the haul itself can be flammable or hazardous. Tanker trucks are somewhat smaller than semi-trucks, but still roughly 20 times heavier than cars. Not all tanker trucks carry hazardous material. In fact, some carry food products, such as milk. When a negligent truck driver driving one of these tanker trucks causes an accident, victims suffer catastrophic injuries, and often are killed. Even those not involved in the accident can be harmed if their home or workplace is near a tanker spill and they are exposed to harmful chemicals.

What Could Happen?

Semi-truck and tanker truck accidents are often caused by the same negligent behavior. This includes distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, drowsy driving, and other unsafe driving practices. However, due to the hazardous freight these trucks can be hauling, accidents with a truck are much more dangerous than accidents between two passenger vehicles.

Seeking Justice for a Trucking Accident

Over 500,000 accidents involving a truck occur each year, with approximately 5,000 fatalities as a result. This means that approximately every 16 minutes in the U.S, someone is either injured or killed in an accident with a truck. If the life of you or someone you love was irreparably damaged by the injuries you received in a trucking accident, you deserve compensation. At Weinstein Legal, our seasoned team of personal injury attorneys is ready to fight for you right to legal compensation. Contact our team today to schedule your free consultation.

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