Recent Collision Highlights The Importance of Car & Truck Safety
A passenger car and a semi-trailer were recently in a collision on Interstate 15 in North Salt Lake. According to a Utah Highway Patrol officer, the accident occurred when the drivers of the car and the semi-trailer tried to avoid hitting a third vehicle with a blown tire. While both drivers averted an accident with the third car, they ended up hitting each other in the process. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries, which were treated at a local hospital, and the passenger car’s driver did not receive any injuries that needed medical attention. Common Semi-Truck Accidents In many cases, commercial truck accidents are actually caused by the drivers of passenger vehicles – in part because they don’t realize the significant differences between their cars and the trucks that they share the roads with. Some of the major differences that drivers must keep in mind include: The longer distance it takes for trucks to stop, which is almost three times the stopping distance for cars The swaying motion of tankers, which can make it difficult for drivers to maneuver their trucks The fact that many trucks are not equipped to prevent underride accidents, which occur when a car crashes into a truck’s trailer. (These kinds of accidents are particularly deadly for those who drive passenger cars – only two percent of car drivers survive underride accidents.) As a result of not understanding the power of trucks, some passenger vehicle drivers may cause accidents by making mistakes such as driving in a truck’s blind spot, quickly changing lanes in front of a truck or blocking a truck that is changing lanes or merging into traffic. In contrast, many truck accidents may also be caused by mistakes made by truckers. In some cases, these accidents may result from a lack of training and knowledge about truck safety and defensive driving. Trucking accidents are also caused when truckers try to meet the unrealistic speed and hours requirements of their employers. Studies show a fatigued driver can be as dangerous as an intoxicated driver, which may lead to dangerous accidents and severe injuries suffered by others involved in the crash. No matter what the cause, the impact of being in an accident with a truck can be devastating. Passenger car drivers involved in these kinds of accidents may become paralyzed, disfigured or even die from their injuries. It is important to all drivers to pay attention to other vehicles on the road and employ safety tactics to avoid accidents and reduce the chance of an injury. When and accident does occur, speak to a personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Rear-End Truck Crashes Prove Fatal
Rear-end collisions between trucks and motor vehicles can have devastating effects. Of the 400,000 truck accidents per year, 18 percent are rear-end crashes. Most of these accidents are attributed to trucks hitting motor vehicles. Many of the fatal rear-end collisions involved multiple vehicles. 18 percent of truck-attributed accidents involved three or more vehicles, where as multiple vehicles comprised only five percent of rear-end accidents caused by motor vehicles. Of fatal rear-end collisions, about 46 percent involved multiple (at least three) vehicles. This disparity is likely due to the sheer weight and size differences between large trucks and passenger cars. Typically, an 18-wheeler will not stop or even slowdown when it hits a car, allowing it to continue on its path and hit other vehicles. A car, however, will usually stop when it collides with a truck. Rear-End Collisions and Contributing Factors Defective equipment or poor truck maintenance may contribute to rear-end crashes. Brake problems, including brake safety violations, were a factor in 53 percent of truck accidents according to a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Problems with truck lighting such as turn signals, marker lights and headlights have also been associated with contributing to rear-end truck accidents. Drivers under the influence while behind the wheel may also contribute to rear-end collisions. Alcohol use was found more prevalent in motor vehicle drivers that collided with trucks (2.1 percent) than in truck drivers that hit other vehicles (0.02 percent). In fatal crashes, the number of motor vehicle drivers drinking while driving increased to 15.5 percent. Drivers: Stay Vigilant and Know Your Rights Drivers can protect themselves from truck crashes by always keeping a safe distance between themselves and commercial vehicles. It takes trucks longer to stop than smaller vehicles and drivers must always be prepared to stop when they are behind an 18-wheeler. Large trucks may perform differently than cars, so remain alert when approaching large trucks and avoid their blind spots. Truck drivers that operate their vehicles negligently or carelessly are an extreme hazard to all motorists on the highway. Trucking accidents can cause serious injury and damage due to their large size, particularly when traveling at high speeds. A person injured in a motor vehicle collision involving a commercial truck may be entitled to compensation for their losses. Damages may include payment for medical bills and pain and suffering. An injured victim should consult with a personal injury attorney to learn more about protecting their rights and holding the responsible party accountable.