What Makes A Truck Accident So Dangerous? This is the question we will be answering in this article. So keep reading.
While only 5.2% of all traffic accidents in the United States involve trucks, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, truck accidents can be much more dangerous than road accidents involving other types of accidents.
But what makes a truck accident so dangerous? Let us explore the topic to find out.
What Makes A Truck Accident So Dangerous?
Trucks Are Large and Heavy
According to Chicago-based truck accident lawyers at Abels & Annes law firm, trucks not only include tractor-trailers that haul freight. Commercial trucks that frequent U.S. roads also include delivery trucks, garbage trucks, construction vehicles, and emergency service vehicles.
All of those vehicles can be more dangerous than other vehicles when they are involved in road accidents.
In 2016 in Chicago alone, there were around 11,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers; and 106 truck crashes resulted in fatalities.
One key reason why trucks of all kinds are so dangerous is that they are so much larger and heavier than other vehicles.
That not only means they are more challenging to maneuver. It also means that, when trucks are involved in accidents, they can cause much greater damage to vehicles and people.
To give you an idea of just how much larger and heavier trucks are, most passenger cars weigh less than three tons while semi-truck trailers can weigh up to a staggering eighty tons.
Trucks Have Less Stability Than Smaller Vehicles
Due to trucks being larger, heavier, and taller than most other vehicles on the road, they have less stability compared to smaller vehicles. Sadly, that means they are more likely to roll over in accidents.
When rollovers happen, they can cause devastating damage. It is likely that multiple vehicles would be involved in the accidents. It is also more likely that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists would be involved in accidents if they are present.
Truck Drivers Have Less Visibility Than Drivers of Passenger Cars
While truck drivers are highly trained in driving their large vehicles, they still have less visibility compared to drivers of passenger cars and other smaller vehicles.
That means it is more difficult for truck drivers to do things like see what is ahead at intersections.
Furthermore, trucks can have blind spots. Therefore, if other vehicles cannot be seen in the rear-view mirror or side mirrors, accidents are more likely to happen.
Common Injuries That Arise from Truck Accidents
Trucks are also more dangerous in terms of causing more serious injuries. Again, that is due to the sheer size and weight of trucks.
When a truck crashes into a smaller vehicle, the force is transferred to that vehicle. Therefore, passengers in the smaller vehicle are likely to end up with more serious injuries compared to if they were involved in accidents with passenger cars.
Fatalities are more likely too.
A wide variety of injuries can arise from truck accidents. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones, which could result in victims of truck accidents needing extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Burns, which can range from minor to severe.
- Traumatic brain injuries, which can lead to long-term complications such as memory loss.
- Spinal cord injuries, which can result in paralysis.
- Internal organ damage, which can cause untold damage and even result in death.
Summing Up
Trucks are large, tall, and heavy, so when they are involved in road accidents, the consequences can be much more severe compared to other types of traffic accidents.
Truck drivers can experience more blind spots too. And trucks are less stable than smaller vehicles.
So, it should not be surprising that trucks can be so dangerous when they are involved in accidents.
