Semi-trucks pose an intimidating presence on roadways. 500,000 accidents involving semi-trucks occur every year, 5,000 of which result in death. Of the fatalities that occur as a result of a semi crash, 68% are occupants of other vehicles and 15% involve pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
The following categories describe the different aspects that make semi trucks dangerous:
The Physics of a Semi-Truck
Semi-trucks can be 20 to 30 times heavier than an average passenger car. According to Newton’s laws of motion, an object with greater mass will require more energy to change velocity. In other words, because semi-trucks are so heavy it takes more time and energy for them to speed up or slow down. Semi-trucks are hard to stop if they lose control and can cause damage far more severe than a passenger car.
The trailers that semi-trucks tow also pose a great risk to the road. Trailers are inherently top heavy, which means they are likely to fall on their sides when the truck towing it turns too sharply or changes lanes too quickly. Sometimes the contents of a semi-truck trailer are stacked improperly which may cause the truck driver to lose control. If the truck rolls, falls on it’s side, or crashes, the contents of the trailer can spread throughout the roadway and pose a significant danger to other vehicles. In addition, semi-trucks often transport contents that are toxic, flammable, or pressurized and can cause even greater injury in the event of a collision. Trucks that have multiple trailers have a higher risk of collision the more trailers they are towing.
Large Blindspots
Blindspots, also known as “no zones”, are the most dangerous areas that another car can be in when driving next to a semi-truck. The area behind, immediately in front of, and in most areas beside a semi-truck are the spots that the truck driver will not be able to see another car. Should your vehicle be in any of these areas, it is best to move out of them quickly to avoid the truck driver unknowingly colliding into your vehicle.
Condition of the Truck Driver, and Driving Negligently
Semi-truck drivers are pressured to drive at unsafe speeds for long periods of time in order to meet their deadlines. In 2013, federal rules for the maximum workweek of truck drivers was reduced from 82 hours a week to 72, with a requirement of at least 34 hours of sleep a week to reduce the risk of semi-truck collisions. Truck drivers may be encouraged to misrepresent their hour and sleep logs in order to make their deliveries faster. This can lead to fatigued drivers that are more likely to crash into other vehicles.
There is a growing nationwide problem of distracted driving and commercial truck drivers are no exception. Semi-trucks require a lot of skill and focus to operate, which makes the fact that many truck drivers use their cell phone while they drive a scary thought. If a driver is traveling at 60 miles per hour and looks down at his phone for four seconds, he will travel a distance that easily covers two football fields while not paying attention to the road. A survey of police reports from Indianapolis showed that nearly half of all crashes involving a semi was the result of the truck driver being distracted.
If you have been injured in a crash involving a semi-truck, consult with an experienced truck accident attorney to find out if you have a valid claim.
