Truck accidents are far more dangerous than car accidents, often resulting in catastrophic outcomes for those in the smaller passenger vehicle. In 2022, the Alabama Department of Transportation reported nearly 10,500 large truck-related crashes across the state, leading to more than 2,400 injuries and 162 fatalities.

Understanding the physical and regulatory reasons for this heightened danger can help you recognize the risks these large trucks pose and take action to avoid a collision with one. Learn why semi-truck crashes are more dangerous than car accidents and how a Huntsville trucking accident attorney can protect your interests against aggressive trucking company insurers.

The Physical Factors: Size, Weight, and Stopping Distances

The differences in size, weight, and stopping distances between trucks and cars impact the severity of these types of accidents. Physical factors that contribute to the increased danger in truck accidents include:

  • Size and Weight: A commercial truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while the standard passenger vehicle weighs between 2,600 and 4,400 pounds. This vast disparity means that the truck exerts more force in a collision, often resulting in severe damage and a greater likelihood of serious injuries or fatalities.
  • Stopping Distances: Trucks require 20% to 40% longer to stop than cars, influenced by road conditions, weather, and load. This longer stopping distance can make it difficult to stop in time to avoid a collision, especially if the truck follows too closely or travels at high speeds.
  • Blind Spots: Trucks have large blind spots, or “no-zones,” where the driver has limited or no visibility. Vehicles that linger in these zones are more likely to collide with a big truck, especially when changing lanes or turning, as the driver may not see them.

Driver Fatigue: A Silent Danger

The human element also plays a role in the increased danger of truck accidents.

Truck drivers often face grueling schedules that require driving for long hours to meet tight delivery deadlines.

While federal regulations limit how many hours a trucker can drive without a break, they don’t always follow them and may push themselves beyond their limits. Driver fatigue is a common issue in the trucking industry, playing a role in 10% to 20% of crashes.

Fatigued driving has the same risk factors as drunk driving. A tired driver has slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and a decreased ability to focus on the road. When the operator of an 80,000-pound vehicle drives while fatigued, the potential for disaster increases.

The Regulatory Landscape: Complexities of Truck Accident Claims

Truck accident claims can be complicated, often involving multiple parties and strict regulations. Work with a qualified truck crash attorney to help you with the following elements of your case:

  • Multiple Parties Involved: Unlike car accidents, truck accidents may involve several parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo owner, and truck or parts manufacturers. Each party might share some responsibility, making it tricky to determine who’s liable.

Our attorneys gather detailed evidence and work with reconstruction specialists and forensic engineers to determine liability and hold all responsible parties accountable.

  • Strict Regulations: The trucking industry must follow federal and state rules covering driver qualifications, service hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading. Any violations that contribute to an accident could support your case.

At Tyler Mann Injury Law, we scrutinize every detail for regulatory breaches that strengthen your claim and leverage these findings to bolster your case.

  • Prepared Opposition: Trucking companies and their insurers often have practiced legal teams focused on reducing liability. They may try to pressure you into a lowball settlement that doesn’t cover your damages from the crash.

Your attorney can pursue the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident and protect your rights against aggressive insurers.

Get the Legal Help You Deserve

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Trucking companies and their insurers are well-prepared with legal teams dedicated to minimizing fault. A free consultation with our experienced attorneys at Tyler Mann Injury Law can help you take the first step toward understanding your options and protecting your rights.

We can thoroughly evaluate your case, answer your questions, and outline your best options for recovering financial compensation. Reach out today to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation case review, and let us fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.