Truck accidents are worse than car crashes. Learn why they’re more catastrophic, how to handle them, and the complexities involved.
Big trucks cause worse accidents than regular cars. Understand why and what to do if you’re in one. If you or your loved one is involved in an accident, visit https://fightingforfairness.com to contact a truck accident attorney.
Reasons why truck accidents are more catastrophic than car accidents
- Size and Weight: The Fundamental Components
A fully loaded commercial truck may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, whereas an average passenger automobile weighs about 4,000 pounds. Due to the substantial weight difference, a passenger car is almost always at a disadvantage in accidents with trucks. Truck collisions can cause severe injuries and a higher chance of fatalities due to the truck’s immense strength.
2. Physics of Impact
The unbreakable principle of physics is that an object’s impact energy increases with its mass and speed. Commercial trucks, traveling at high speeds, can cause massive damage, leading to severe outcomes. A passenger car can be easily smashed by a commercial truck’s force, resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities.
3. Complexity of trucks
Big trucks carry heavy or dangerous stuff, which can be risky in a crash. They may leak, catch fire, or explode, making rescues harder and causing more damage. Also, these trucks need more space to stop and have big blind spots, raising the chances of a crash.
4. Involvement of multiple parties
Truck accidents involve many parties, making the legal process complicated. Investigations need lots of evidence like witness accounts, driver logs, and black box data.
5. Preventive Measures
Even if there are legal avenues for recourse, prevention is always safer than cure. When driving close to commercial vehicles, maintain a safe distance and use caution when trying to overtake. Remember that a commercial truck’s blind areas are much larger compared to those of a passenger car. It is a general rule of practice to assume that if the truck driver cannot see you in the mirror, neither can you.