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 nació en Houston, Texas. Estudió en las universidades de Baylor y Texas State, donde se licenció en Ciencias en 1987. Se especializó en Biología y en Química. Terminó su educación legal en Texas Southern University en 1990, obteniendo un Doctorado en Derecho de la Escuela de Derecho Thurgood Marshall. Fue admitido en el Colegio de Abogados del Estado de Texas en 1990.
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