Getting involved in a traffic accident is always scary because any accident can have life-altering consequences. However, trucks are associated with higher accident risks than other vehicles. Due to their massive size, trucks dominate the roads. In a collision, they can crush passenger vehicles.
Even though commercial truck drivers have a lot of driving experience, the exhaustion associated with long driving hours can affect their performance behind the wheel. The risk of human errors is thus also considerably high.
Read on to discover why truck accidents are scary and what you can do to avoid getting involved in one.
Force of Impact
A significant reason why trucks pose more dangers on the road than cars is that they are multi-ton vehicles carrying heavy cargo. When a collision happens, the impact is often catastrophic for the other vehicles involved. Thus, many trucks accidents cause debilitating or fatal injuries to the victims. Statistically, trucks cause more physical harm and property damage than any other vehicle.
High Risk of Serious Injuries
Since the force of the impact can be massive, walking away unscathed after a truck accident is unfortunately unrealistic. Not even the most advanced safety features can protect car passengers when their vehicle gets hit by a truck. Passenger cars are lower to the ground, so trucks often crush them in violent collisions.
Truck accidents often lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can cause unconsciousness, dizziness, or memory loss. They can also lead to spinal cord injuries, severe back and neck injuries (whiplash, herniated discs, spinal fractures), broken bones, and internal injuries. These injuries commonly result from all traffic accidents. However, they are more severe when it comes to truck accidents. Amputation, disfigurement, and death are also potential consequences of a truck accident.
High Risk of Negligence and Human Error
Another thing that makes trucks more dangerous than other vehicles on the road is that negligence and human error play a key role here. Some companies with a lax recruitment process send unqualified drivers on public roads. Other companies overwork their drivers and disrespect their need for rest. The logistics staff is not always loading the cargo properly for various reasons. Some trucks are poorly maintained due to high maintenance costs. These are the conditions that lead to accidents.
Negligent, exhausted, or distracted drivers are also likely to cause accidents. Some drivers are guilty of substance abuse. Others decide to drive despite symptoms of illness or extreme fatigue, or they read their text messages while behind the wheel instead of paying attention to the road.
Truck accidents can be avoided if every person involved with the trucking company, from the truck mechanic to the driver, acts with responsibility all the time. However, since many people share the responsibility of keeping trucks and truck drivers safe, it is difficult to avoid all possible errors or acts of negligence.
In general, trucks pose more dangers in traffic than other vehicles because there’s an overlap of reasons that can cause an accident.
The Problem of Liability
Another thing that makes truck accidents scary is that establishing liability can be challenging. Who is responsible: the driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or the government agency responsible for road safety?
For the victim of an accident, being unable to establish liability immediately is not good news. Suing a trucking company for compensation is a daunting prospect, especially since many trucking companies are multinational conglomerates worth millions.
Thus, another scary thing about truck accidents is that you may have to fight hard for your right to compensation.
Have you been injured in a truck accident? Commercial truck accident attorneys can help you protect your rights and collect damages. You deserve compensation for all the physical or financial harm you experience.
How to Avoid Truck Accidents
The circumstances of a truck accident can vary vastly from crash to crash. Sometimes, the responsibility lies with the other vehicle. As a driver, you must learn to minimize the risks of colliding with a truck so you can keep yourself and your passengers safe. The most important thing to do is adapt your behavior on the road based on what other vehicles are moving around you.
Don’t Drive in A Truck’s Blind Spot
Driving in a truck’s blind spot is not a good idea, so avoid doing it unless you must. If you decide to drive through a blind spot, do not stay there long. The truck driver may not see you and assume that moving into the same path is safe.
Can you see the truck driver in person or their mirror? If the answer is no, the driver cannot see you either.
Don’t Change Lanes in Front of a Truck
Another helpful tip for keeping yourself safe when driving near trucks is to avoid changing lanes in front of them. Lane change collisions are very common, so changing lanes always requires extra attention. Don’t change lanes in front of a truck and then slow down. You can change lanes safely only if you can see the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror.
Don’t Brake Suddenly in Front of a Truck
Braking suddenly in front of a truck may take the driver by surprise, making it impossible for him to reduce the speed in time and thus put you in danger. In general, avoid impulsive decisions when driving near a truck.
Don’t Pass Trucks on the Right
Don’t pass a truck on the right because the driver will not be able to see your vehicle moving.
Always pass trucks in the left lane. On that side, the driver can follow your direction until you are safely in front.
Final Words
Taking all the proper measures to stay safe on the road is critical. Unfortunately, no matter how careful and responsible you are as a driver, your life and safety also depend on the behavior and actions of other drivers. Always assume that someone else might make a mistake and try to be a step ahead of them. However, if you get involved in an accident without your fault, make sure the person responsible is held accountable.
