Trucks move goods to and from far-flung places for a variety of industries, and the economy depends on them. Road hazards are there when accidents do occur between the big heavy units. To optimize road safety and protect victim rights, full knowledge of all factors influencing crash severity is required.
The catastrophic results that occur from truck accidents are something Dennis Hernandez has dealt with while practicing over the years at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys. Our lawyers assist victims in getting fair recoveries for injuries caused by negligent actions. We fight to get you paid!
What Are The Risk Factors Related To Different Classes Of Trucks?
Truck Categories are dependent on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which reflects the overall weight of the vehicle plus maximum load carrying capacity. These classifications include:
- The weight range of light-duty trucks goes as high as 10,000 pounds because they are meant to fit both personal needs and small business need. Driving these vehicles overloaded or driving them recklessly creates dangerous circumstances.
- Medium-duty trucks: This group includes box trucks and bigger delivery vans, both of which are between 10,001 pounds and 26,000 pounds. Such vehicles pose an increased risk due to their size when driving in densely populated areas with many pedestrians.
- Heavy-duty trucks, which includes tractor-trailers and long-haul rigs that weigh more than 26,000 pounds. Such vehicles are both dangerous to operate and pose significant risks if they are involved in an accident.
Every weight class has different road safety issues This makes truck size and weight a very important factor for crash severity.
How Often Do Truck Accidents Occur And How Severe Are They?
Truck accident statistics prove how deadly these accidents can be. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released that large trucks contributed to 13% of all traffic fatalities during 2019. The fewer number of truck accidents compared to cars does not obscure their devastating results since they are really just that massive and weighty.
What Factors Make Truck Accidents More Dangerous Than Regular Vehicle Collisions?
There are also several key factors which make truck accidents more hazardous to drivers and passengers.
- Heavier trucks with greater momentum result in more severe crashes.
- Trucks need the extra time to stop and lengthier stopping distances and are thus involved in rear-end and intersection accidents.
- The high blind zones around trucks introduced by large trucks’ size limits drivers to see small vehicles and makes merging and sideswipe crashes more dangerous.
- Effective load management is important since poor practices lead to truck overturns and loss of control that can have serious consequences such as fatal vehicle accidents.
What Aspects Of Truck Momentum Increase The Danger Of Fatal Injuries?
The mass of an object and its speed combine to determine the momentum. When a standard passenger vehicle is struck from behind, it does not return to its original pushing shape because the collision with the big truck causes a heavy damage.
- Injuries in accidents suffered by the occupants of smaller vehicle are worse in such crashes.
- The smaller vehicle suffers structural damage that is beyond repair.
- The probability of fatal injuries increases with the speed of the vehicles.
- The high-velocity forces associated with such accidents cause catastrophic results.
Why Are Extended Stopping Distances So Dangerous For Heavy Trucks?
Large vehicles need more room and longer stopping time to come to a stop. Drivers are unable to brake safely in adequate time which creates rear-end collisions. The consequences of such accidents are likely to worsen in conditions where traction and visibility are poor, or the driving environment is crowded.
Can Multiple Vehicles Participate In A Single Truck Accident?
Yes. 18-wheelers are big enough and heavy enough to get into accidents with mass vehicle casualties. One truck crash often results in multi-vehicle crashes with other local vehicles colliding with one another.” These accidents are a combination of many injuries and high damage to property along with heightened road perils.
How Does The Height Of A Truck’s Center Point Increase The Risk Of Rollovers?
The following conditions are associated with an increased likelihood of rollovers in large trucks:
- Fast turns in tight spaces
- Load that is improperly distributed or unsecured
- Sudden or evasive maneuvers
The rollovers preclude full access to roads and create hazardous spill sites for drivers, passengers and emergency personnel.
What Lessons Can We Learn From Accident Severity Analysis Of Truck Crashes?
The shape of truck crashes is revealed when analysis of accident severity is carried out. The most important results of this study are as follows:
- The injuries in truck accidents are more than those seen in regular passenger vehicle crashes.
- Fatal accidents occur with trucks because of added weight.
- The crashes cause widespread damage to many vehicles in several wrecks.
What Is The Financial Impact That Results From Truck Accidents?
Yes. Truck wrecks result in significant monetary costs and financial damages even if you are not factoring pain and economic losses related to life changes that may follow for the surviving victims. These include:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Diminished future earnings and loss of earning capacity
- Car repair or total loss
- Higher insurance premiums
The financial upheaval from a trucker crash is not only at the business level, these also produces a ripple effect on the economy.
What Methods Help Minimize Truck-Related Crashes And Their Severity?
The GVWR standards are weight restrictions for your truck to avoid handling issues and equipment failures.
- Advanced Safety: Many of today’s trucks offer advanced safety options such as blind-spot detection, electronic stability control and collision warning system.
The two most important factors that enhance the safety of other truck drivers is professional training and regulated periods of rest that do not exceed too many hours of driving with it in combination as a major cause to accidents caused by trucks.
Th regulations are designed to protect people from harm, although accidents can still happen. It’s during these times that you require someone who is able to give you the support of an experienced lawyer.
What Does A Personal Injury Lawyer Do For You When You Get Into A Truck Accident?
Your choice of personal injury law attorney is the most important decision yours will make regarding your injuries resulting from a truck accident. Our team at the law firm of Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys is specifically equipped to walk you through this process:
- Investigating negligent or reckless truck drivers
- The investigation uncovers driver rest-hour violations.
- The review effort looks at mechanical system failures and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
- The evaluation involves checking for overloading and bad loading of cargo.
The lawyer retains investigators and crash reconstruction experts to start the process of proving fault. Our lawyers Fight for your Rights when you search for accident lawyer, injury lawyers near me or pi lawyers.
The firm has won millions and millions of dollars for its clients while continuing to remain committed to combating trucking negligence cases.
We fight to get you paid!
