The Dangers of Semi Trucks on Your Roads
While you might often have to share the road with semi trucks on your regular commute, you must be aware of the dangers they pose. In California, semi trucks can weigh up to a maximum of 80,000 pounds. This is much higher than the average passenger vehicle weight of 4,094 pounds. This means that trucks have much longer stopping distances than smaller vehicles.
Because of the large difference in size and weight between passenger vehicles and semi trucks, truck vs. car collisions often result in severe, disabling injuries or death. If you’ve been injured in a collision caused by a semi truck, an experienced personal injury lawyer at Silverthorne Attorneys can advise you of your legal rights and options. We understand the complexities involved with semi-truck accidents and are prepared to help. Here’s some information about the dangers of driving around semi trucks and how to reduce your risk of a trucking accident.
Common Causes of Semi Truck Accidents
Semi trucks pose additional risks to other motorists that you should know. These risk factors are detailed below.
1. Driver Fatigue
Long-haul truck drivers face tight deadlines and drive long hours. They might get inadequate sleep or ignore the hours of service rules. Truck drivers who haul cargo must follow these limits:
- 60 driving hours in seven consecutive days or 70 hours in eight consecutive days
- No more than 11 hours driving per day
- Can’t drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty after having 10 consecutive hours off
- Must take a 30-minute rest break after driving for eight hours
- Must take at least 10 hours off between shifts
These rules are meant to protect other motorists from drowsy or fatigued truck drivers. Unfortunately, some drivers violate these rules, increasing the risk of a truck accident crash. A personal injury lawyer can review information from the driver’s electronic logging device (ELD) or record of duty status (RODS) to determine if they violated the hours-of-service rules.
2. Distracted Driving
Under 49 CFR Part 392, Subpart H, truck drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. They’re also prohibited from using handheld mobile devices while they’re behind the wheel.
Similarly, truck drivers are also prohibited from using handheld mobile phones or other communication devices while driving under Cal. Veh. Code 23123.5. Despite federal and state laws, many truck drivers still use handheld mobile devices to talk or text while driving. This endangers everyone on the road around them.
Other distractions can also take truck drivers’ attention and eyes off the road, including:
- Eating or drinking
- Having a conversation
- Looking at passing billboards
- Messing with a navigation system
- Being distracted by a passenger or pet
3. Longer Stopping Distances
Because of their weight, large trucks require much longer distances to come to a stop after applying the brakes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that at 55 mph, a fully-loaded truck requires 196 feet to stop. This is compared to the average stopping distance for a passenger vehicle of 133 feet.
Despite this, some truck drivers follow other vehicles too closely. Motorists also might compound the problem by failing to give trucks enough room when entering a lane in front of them. Our truck accident lawyers can work with accident reconstruction experts to calculate a truck’s braking distance to determine if they failed to apply their brakes in time or were following too closely.
4. Higher Center of Gravity
Semi trucks have a higher center of gravity than passenger vehicles. This can cause them to tip over when they turn too sharply or drive in high winds. Improper loading can also lead to tipping over and colliding with other vehicles.
5. Speeding and Truck Accident Crash Risk
Speeding increases the risk of accidents for all drivers. For truck drivers, this risk increases because of the increased stopping distance and vehicle size. A truck driver who speeds around a curve or on an incline might lose control and cause a collision.
6. Blind Spots
Semis have blind spots on all four sides. The blind spots are much larger than they are for passenger vehicles. If a driver doesn’t pay attention to vehicles around them and doesn’t account for the blind spots, they can crash into smaller cars. Motorists should know the blind spots and give truckers plenty of room.
7. Poor Maintenance
Trucking carriers must regularly inspect, repair, and maintain the trucks in their fleets. Drivers are required to inspect their trucks before, during, and after driving and submit reports when they discover any defects. Failing to adequately inspect, maintain, or repair trucks can cause breakdowns and collisions.
When a repair or maintenance issue is suspected as an accident cause, our truck accident attorneys will carefully review the inspection, repair, and maintenance records. Trucking companies must maintain these records and have to provide them to us when requested through discovery.
How to Avoid a Semi Truck Accident
While it’s not always possible to prevent a truck accident, take the following steps to reduce your risk:
- Give semi trucks plenty of space
- Stay out of the truck’s blind spots
- Pass quickly and always use your signal
- Allow between four to six seconds of following distance behind trucks
- Pass on the truck’s left side
- Don’t re-enter the lane until you see the truck in your rearview mirror
- Keep your eyes and attention on the road
- Never drive while distracted, impaired, or drowsy
Get Help From Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a large truck crash, talk to a knowledgeable truck accident attorney at Silverthorne Attorneys. As a personal injury attorney with extensive experience in truck accident cases, we can help you understand the merits of your claim and your options. Call us today to schedule a free consultation at (949) 234-6034.
List of references:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-39
