Whether on a highway or a back road in the countryside, when a large commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results can be utterly devastating. Due to factors like size and weight, greater blind spots, and driver fatigue, truck accidents often produce more severe injuries and fatalities than standard car crashes, leaving victims and families facing life-altering consequences.
At Rachel Frazier Johnson Law, we recognize the immense physical, emotional, and financial toll that truck accidents can take on victims and their loved ones. Our firm strives to provide comprehensive support and guidance to injury victims, helping them secure the compensation they deserve.
The physics of truck accidents can’t be ignored. A fully loaded commercial truck may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds; the average passenger car, by comparison, weighs between 2,600 and 4,400 pounds. This means trucks can be nearly 30 times heavier than the smaller vehicles they collide with.
When these large vehicles crash into smaller cars, they carry a destructive impact. The truck’s enormous weight and momentum create crushing forces that passenger vehicle safety features are far less likely to withstand. This difference in size and weight explains why truck accident victims often suffer catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures.
Commercial trucks have extensive blind spots where drivers cannot see other vehicles. These blind spots extend:
When passenger vehicles travel in these blind spots, truck drivers may change lanes or turn without seeing them, causing side-impact or rear-end collisions. These accidents often occur at highway speeds, amplifying the severity of injuries.
Trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles under ideal conditions. Weather, road conditions, and cargo weight can extend this distance even further.
The extended stopping distance means that in some cases, truck drivers cannot avoid collisions even when they recognize danger ahead. Rear-end crashes involving trucks frequently result in severe injuries because of the truck’s greater weight and momentum.
Truck drivers face demanding schedules and long hours on the road. Despite federal regulations limiting driving time, drivers may push themselves beyond safe limits to meet delivery deadlines.
Fatigued driving can create some of the same risks as drunk driving, such as slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and decreased focus. When an exhausted, less-alert driver operates an 80,000-pound vehicle, the potential for catastrophic accidents increases dramatically.
Based on factors like increased size, weight, and stopping distance compared to passenger vehicles, truck accidents often result in serious injuries requiring lengthy medical treatments, long-term rehabilitation, and time away from work. The financial impact can be overwhelming, especially when you’re focused on recovery.
Understanding your rights and options when pursuing fair compensation is crucial. At Rachel Frazier Johnson Law, we understand the depth of impact that truck accidents can have on victims and their families. With over 25 years of litigation experience, we’re committed to pursuing the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing.
If you or a loved one is facing the aftermath of a serious truck accident, don’t face this challenge alone. Contact Rachel Frazier Johnson Law today to speak with an experienced Surprise injury lawyer who will advocate for you throughout your recovery journey.
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