All motor vehicle crashes between trucks and smaller vehicles carry significant injury risks. This is so in truck accidents involving utility trucks, work vans and construction vehicles. However, of all the different types of trucks involved in these accidents, tractor-trailers typically pose the most injury hazards to Texas motorists.
Obviously, a small passenger automobile is no match for the sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers, but this is only part of the equation. There are several additional factors that can increase the risk of being involved in a truck accident. The following information illustrates why it may be difficult to avoid a collision with a semitruck.
Braking
A tractor-trailer carrying a full load can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. While a smaller vehicle can stop in about 140 feet while braking, a big rig might travel 200 feet before coming to a stop. In some cases, these trucks might even travel up to 450 feet before stopping, increasing the risk of a truck accident.
Maneuvering
The size of tractor-trailers makes it difficult for drivers to maneuver in traffic. They typically need much more room to make turns or switch lanes. In a potential accident scenario, this means that a truck driver may be unable to move in time to avoid colliding with a smaller car.
Trucker visibility
Large trucks by themselves pose visibility problems for drivers. When the truck is pulling a trailer, these visibility problems increase. Because a truck has so many blind spots, its driver may not see a smaller vehicle when switching lanes or turning.
As you can see, driving a semi is challenging and fraught with many dangers. However, just because it may be difficult for truckers to see, brake and maneuver, it does not relieve them of liability when a preventable crash occurs.
Those who have suffered injury in a truck accident may find a solution by discussing their case with an experienced legal professional.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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