By now, you are probably aware of the horrors that can occur when a semitruck slams into a passenger vehicle. These large, heavy trucks serve the important purpose of getting goods around the country, but that is of little concern to the victims of accidents with these big rigs.
Why are semitrucks so dangerous?
The massive size and heavy weight of these trucks makes them dangerous. When a tractor-trailer is fully loaded, it can weigh 80,000 pounds. These trucks and trailers are also very long, with some reaching more than 65 feet.
What problems does the size of a semitruck cause?
Semitrucks don’t handle in the same manner as passenger vehicles. The drivers have large blind spots, and trying to get one of these big rigs moving is challenging. Semitrucks often have difficulties getting up hills or to move from one lane to another quickly. There are also challenges with braking. There is a chance that a truck going 55 mph could take 450 feet to stop. That’s a huge increase from the average stopping distance of 130 to 140 feet that is associated with passenger vehicles.
What should drivers know about sharing the road with semitrucks?
Semitrucks need a lot of room to maneuver. In some cases, they will veer to the left so they can turn right. Truckers might try to drive in the middle lane to provide them with options if they come across obstacles. Understanding how semitrucks can handle can help some drivers to avoid accidents.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYIf you are injured in an accident that was caused by the semitruck driver, you might decide that you should seek compensation. This could help you cover medical bills and other expenses that happened because of the accident.
Source: Stop Unsafe Trucks, “The Facts and Statistics,” accessed Nov. 02, 2016
