Compared to the average 2.5 ton car, semi-trucks weigh an average of 40 tons. This vulnerability of smaller vehicles makes it no surprise that when According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the average loaded tractor-trailer weighs around 40 tons. The average passenger car, on the other hand, weighs just 1.5 tons.
So it should come as no surprise that when a semi-truck and automobile collide, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are at a much higher risk of severe injury and death. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 11% of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2021 occurred in large truck crashes. Where fatal crashes involved a large truck and an ordinary passenger vehicle, 97% of those who lost their lives were in passenger vehicles.
Here, we’ll discuss the reasons behind semi-truck accidents and share some advice regarding how you can stay safe on the road.
Traveling on the road is inherently risky, and a certain number of accidents will always happen due to unavoidable circumstances. However, our experience as truck accident lawyers has shown us that the most common factors in these cases are human error and mechanical failure. Sadly, this means that the majority of tragic semi-truck accidents are entirely avoidable.
When it comes to semi-truck accidents resulting from human error, large truck operators are often found to be at fault for one of the following:
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS), carried out jointly by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), provided an unprecedented level of insight into the reasons behind semi-truck accidents in the United States. One key finding was that 10% of all trucking accidents actually resulted from mechanical failure. Among the most common issues were brake problems, tire problems, and cargo shifts.
As is the case with car-on-car collisions, common types of crashes involving semi-trucks include head-on collisions, rear-end impacts, and T-bone collisions. However, there are additional accident types that generally occur only in cases involving semi-trucks.
Underride accidents are similar to rear-end collisions, but the results are typically far worse. This type of accident occurs when a passenger car drives into the back of a truck and ends up beneath the larger vehicle. The car often remains lodged under the semi-truck until the truck stops; very significant injuries and vehicle damage can occur during this time, particularly if the semi-truck loses control or cannot come to a halt right away.
Jackknife accidents occur when a truck driver brakes sharply, causing the vehicle’s trailer to swing toward the cab. Speeding and distracted driving both significantly increase the risk of this type of accident.
This type of situation is much more dangerous for surrounding traffic than it is for trucks themselves. A swinging trailer can clip or collide with multiple nearby vehicles; the larger and heavier the tractor-trailer is, the greater the risk.
In a scene from the 2003 film Final Destination 2, a log becomes unsecured on a cargo truck and causes a grisly disaster on the road behind it. While this clip has become something of a meme in pop culture, the situation it depicts is unfortunately all too real.
Improper loading techniques can result in cargo becoming unsecured, falling from a truck, and causing mayhem for surrounding traffic. Alternatively, if cargo on a truck is not balanced properly, it can cause the vehicle to lose control when making turns or traveling at speed, creating the potential for a crash.
These types of accidents are even more dangerous when a truck is carrying hazardous material, such as gas or chemicals. When a truck jackknifes or is T-boned, the likelihood of its cargo becoming unsecured greatly increases, multiplying the risk of harm for other motorists.
If you’ve been in a trucking accident, let the experienced road accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia fight for you. We will explore every available avenue when it comes to seeking the compensation you deserve.
When you are the victim of serious injury or illness, you deserve someone on your side who is intimately familiar with state and federal laws and fully devoted to helping you get maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation by filling out our online form or calling 800-969-4400.
