Factors That Make Trucks More of a Risk on the Road

Any automobile accident has the risk to cause serious injury and significant property damage. That is true whether you are talking about the smallest cars or the largest commercial trucks. With that said, commercial trucks have the potential to do more damage than other vehicles.

According to The Barnes Firm injury attorneys, the financial damages associated with truck accidents do tend to be higher than damages from accidents that only involve passenger vehicles. This is in part because truck accidents are more likely to cause severe injuries and death.

The increased risk that comes with truck accidents can be attributed to several factors. By understanding some of these factors, we can do more to avoid these types of accidents, and possibly reduce the risk of serious injury and death.

Vehicle Weight and Size

The first factor that increases the risk for truck accidents is the weight and size of the vehicles. It just comes down to basic physics: the more mass an object has, the more force it can impart on other objects. The average mid-sized car weighs less than 4,000 lbs. Compared to the 80,000 lbs of a fully-loaded tractor-trailer, you have a significant disparity in both size and weight. When a truck of that size crashes into a car, that disparity can result in damage that far exceeds the average car accident.

Large Blind Spots

A commercial truck can have large blind spots. In fact, some of the blind spots are so large they can hide an entire vehicle.  A large tractor-trailer can have blind spots directly behind the truck, on the sides near the front of the trailer to the back of the cab, and directly in front of the truck. This means that drivers need to be aware of the blind spots and be careful about changing lanes. It can also be an issue if a small vehicle stops directly in front of the truck at a red light.

Tight Delivery Schedules

Many trucking companies push their drivers hard to meet strict deadlines. Depending on the company or the contract they have with the driver, missing a deadline can result in penalties. Under this pressure, some drivers might choose to drive aggressively or to break some of the rules of the road. When it comes to long-distance trucking, it might cause the drivers to log more hours on the road than they should or to drive without getting enough sleep. Any one of these factors can increase the risk of a truck accident.

Vehicle Maneuverability

Being large and heavy is a risk for more reasons than just the amount of force the vehicle can generate in an accident. Along with that, the size and weight of the vehicle can also make these trucks harder to handle. Drivers need a wider turning radius to make turns with these vehicles and they need much more space to stop safely. If something unexpected happens, it is much harder for a driver to avoid an accident or regain control of the vehicle if they are operating a large, heavy commercial truck.

Improperly Loaded or Overloaded Trucks

The way a truck is loaded can also make a big difference. As an example, if the truck has too much weight on one side, it can make the truck harder to handle or increase the risk of the trailer tipping over. Overloading is another issue. By law, states set weight limits for commercial trucks. If these limits are exceeded, it can increase the risk of an accident. Beyond that, excessive weight can increase the damage if an accident does occur.

Hazardous Cargo

The cargo being hauled can also increase the risk of an accident. Most cargo is relatively harmless, but there are some loads that can increase the risk. As an example, if there is an accident with a fuel truck, the flammable liquid in the tanker can increase the risk. Whether it is something that is flammable or toxic, hazardous cargo can be a significant issue if the truck is in an accident.

While regular car accidents can be very serious, large commercial trucks do come with added risks. If you are injured in an accident with a commercial truck, you may face significant legal issues that may not be common to accidents with passenger vehicles. That is why you should retain a lawyer with experience handling truck accident cases. An experienced lawyer will understand the relevant issues associated with truck accidents, and they will be able to advise you on your rights and help you seek compensation.