Why Are Truck Accidents Often Considered More Severe than Car Accidents?

While any motor vehicle accident can cause physical and financial harm, truck accidents can be significantly more devastating. Accidents involving trucks can be more damaging than other car accidents primarily because of the larger size and weight of trucks. These two factors, in addition to several others, increase the likelihood of truck accidents being more severe than car accidents.

If you have been in a truck accident, it is likely that you have suffered serious injuries. A Sacramento truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to begin recovering from your collision. Our experienced truck accident attorneys at Triumph Law are knowledgeable about why truck accidents are often considered more severe than car accidents and can work to get you the compensation you deserve after your destructive truck crash.

Factors that Make Truck Accidents Severe

Truck accidents can result in serious injuries or even death. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 5,700 large trucks that were involved in fatal accidents in 2021. There are several factors that increase the chances of a truck accident victim suffering injuries that are more severe than if they were in a car accident.

Size and Weight

Trucks are significantly larger and heavier than cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that trucks can weigh 30 times more than cars. Naturally, this means that injuries caused in a truck accident are likely going to be more severe than those obtained in a car accident.

Because they are much bigger than cars, trucks have larger blind spots that make the visibility of other vehicles difficult for truck drivers. In addition to the complications that accompany the large size of trucks, their weight of up to 80,000 pounds generates more force in a collision, causing more severe injuries to accident victims.

The size and weight difference of trucks make underride accidents common in California. Underride truck accidents occur because trucks sit up higher than cars. As a result, smaller vehicles end up crushed under the truck, causing serious injuries to collision victims.

Maneuverability

Again, the large size of trucks compared to cars, makes maneuvering trucks difficult and makes it tough for drivers to avoid accidents. Because they need more room for turns, truck drivers may take up more than one lane. The restricted mobility of trucks makes accidents inherently more likely, especially in congested traffic areas.

One of the most dangerous roads in Sacramento is Interstate 5, which is the main highway from Sacramento to Los Angeles. This roadway is known for its distracted and speeding drivers. Coupled with a truck’s limited maneuverability, these hazards increase an accident victim’s chances of severe injuries.

If you were injured in an accident by a truck that did not maneuver properly, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your losses. A truck driver’s improper operation may be the reason you are severely injured. A truck accident attorney in Sacramento can review the details of your collision and determine whether you have a legal claim.

Stopping Distance

Compared to cars, trucks need up to 40% more distance to come to a complete stop, according to the IIHS. The increased stopping distance for trucks makes it more likely that their drivers will be involved in rear-end accidents. If you are hit from behind by a truck, you can suffer from severe injuries, including back and neck pain and whiplash.

In addition to a truck’s weight, its load, and the road conditions and gradient can make it more difficult for a truck to stop in time than a car. In heavy traffic situations, it is nearly impossible for a truck to stop in time if the driver is forced to brake suddenly. If you are struck by a truck, you will almost certainly suffer more severe injuries than if you were hit by another car.

Because of the greater distance needed for a truck to come to a stop, it may be difficult for a truck driver to brake in time to avoid a collision. If you are the victim of a rear-end collision, you probably suffered serious injuries as a result. An experienced Sacramento truck accident attorney can evaluate your injuries and make a demand for satisfactory compensation.

Driver Demands

Truck drivers are often paid per load. This means they are under immense pressure to complete a minimum number of trips. Driving for long distances and hours at a time can increase a truck driver’s chances of becoming exhausted and causing an accident.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the number of hours a driver can travel before they must stop to rest. For example, truck drivers who are carrying property are forbidden to drive more than 14 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. They are also limited to working no more than 80 hours in eight consecutive days.

Most trucking companies require their drivers to keep an accurate log of their driving hours. If it is determined that your truck accident was caused by a drowsy truck driver, you can collect compensation for your injuries. A Sacramento truck accident lawyer knows what information is critical to prove that your accident was caused by a tired truck driver.

Cargo Loads

Because trucks frequently carry bulky loads, it is more common for them to be top-heavy. This increases a truck driver’s chances of rolling over and causing a severe accident. If a truck rolls over onto another vehicle, catastrophic injuries are likely.

If not loaded properly, a truck’s cargo can move or spill. If a hazardous material leaks in an accident, chemical spills or explosions can cause massive injuries. These injuries will likely require substantial medical treatment, which can cost victims significant amounts of money.

If improperly loaded cargo contributed to your truck accident, you may have a legal claim against the driver and the trucking company. Skilled truck accident lawyers in Sacramento can request specific documentation to support your claim of improper cargo loads. Our attorneys at Triumph Law are ready to navigate your complex truck accident case.

Maintenance

It is important that regular safety checks and maintenance are performed on large trucks. For example, it is critical that a truck’s brakes are functioning properly. If a truck collides with an individual as a result of faulty brakes or another mechanical malfunction, a serious injury is almost a certainty.

Sometimes, these inspections are skipped because of negligence or monetary and time limitations. When regulatory compliance is not met, the chances of a truck malfunctioning and causing an accident increase. Trucking companies are required to complete mechanical reports and verify that proper maintenance is being performed.

There are many factors that make truck accidents more severe than car accidents. These factors can be the fault of several different parties. A Sacramento truck accident lawyer can investigate your accident and determine who may be responsible for your injuries.

Let a Sacramento Truck Accident Attorney Help You Collect Compensation for Your Injuries

As discussed above, there are many reasons why truck accidents are considered more severe than car accidents. If you have been the victim of a truck accident, you probably need physical and financial assistance. Contacting our truck accident lawyers at Triumph Law for a confidential consultation can help you get on the road to recovery by relying on us to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses.