Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences, causing severe injuries and even fatalities. Understanding why these accidents are so dangerous is crucial for both truck drivers and other motorists sharing the road. In this blog post, we will delve into the various factors that contribute to the heightened risks associated with truck accidents. By gaining a deeper understanding of these dangers, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road.

Size and Weight

One of the primary reasons why truck accidents are particularly dangerous is the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, towering over smaller passenger vehicles. In the event of a collision, the force exerted by the truck can be exponentially greater, leading to catastrophic damages, severe injuries, and fatalities. The disparity in size alone places occupants of smaller vehicles at a disadvantage and significantly increases the risk of injury.

Longer Staneuverability

Trucks have limited maneuverability compared to smaller vehicles. Their size, weight, and longer wheelbase make it more challenging for truck drivers to navigate sharp turns, change lanes swiftly, or make sudden evasive maneuvers. This limitation increases the risk of accidents in congested areas or situations that require quick reflexes, such as avoiding debris on the road or responding to sudden braking.

Driver Fatigue and Distraction

Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, a prevalent issue among truck drivers. The pressure to meet tight delivery schedules, combined with monotonous driving conditions, can result in drowsiness and reduced attention. Fatigued truck drivers are more prone to making errors in judgment, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Moreover, distractions, such as mobile phones, eating, or using in-cab technology, further contribute to compromised focus, reaction time, and overall driving performance.

Vulnerability of Other Road Users

Truck accidents don't just impact the individuals involved directly but can also have far-reaching consequences for other road users. Collisions involving trucks often result in severe injuries or fatalities for occupants of smaller vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists. The height and weight of trucks can lead to underride accidents, where smaller vehicles become trapped beneath the truck's trailer, causing catastrophic injuries or decapitations. These factors highlight the increased vulnerability of those who share the road with large trucks.

At Aldous Law, we are dedicated to advocating for victims of truck accidents and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help.

Authorities Scrutinize Trucker's Driving Record After Florida Interstate Collision Kills 7, Including 5 Children

Five children were killed in a multi-vehicle collision and fire in northern Florida last Thursday, January 4, 2019. Two commercial truck drivers were also killed in the wreck, and at least eight victims were transported to local hospitals. The children were reportedly traveling in a church van bound from Louisiana to Disney World.

According to authorities from the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident occurred Thursday afternoon on Interstate 75, roughly a mile south of Alachua, near the city of Gainesville. Two passenger vehicles and two commercial tractor-trailers were involved in the wreck, which caused 50 gallons of diesel fuel in one of the trucks to spill onto the highway and ignite a massive fire.

Several victims, some critically injured, were transported for further medical attention to two area hospitals. Officials also confirmed the death of seven victims, including five children ranging from ages 9 to 14 who were traveling in a church van from United Pentecostal Church in Marksville, Louisiana for a trip to Disney World. The two truck drivers were also killed in the wreck.

Investigators Take A Closer Look Into Trucker’s Driving Record

While investigations are still ongoing, officials have reported that the incident appears to have been caused when a tractor-trailer – driven by 59-year-old Steve Holland – traveling north in the right lane of the I-75 suddenly veered left and collided with a passenger vehicle. The collision sent the car and tractor-trailer careening over the center divider, where the truck plowed into the southbound church van and sent it flipping several times, ejecting some of the nine children on board before colliding with another truck and the passenger vehicle. A fire soon erupted.

After extinguishing the blaze and transporting victims, officials announced they were treating the crash as a homicide investigation, but have not commented further as to why. In the days following the wreck, court records for the 59-year-old trucker who may have set the fatal chain reaction into motion indicate had received several traffic tickets over the years, including several citations dating back to 2000 for violations ranging from speeding and not carrying proof of insurance to operating an unsafe vehicle and driving an overloaded vehicle.

Truck Accident Investigations & Victims’ Rights

As evidenced by this tragedy, auto accidents involving tractor-trailers and commercial vehicles make for some of the most devastating crashes on our roads. Though the incident is still under investigation, revelations involving the trucker’s driving history can potentially provide direction into what caused the wreck – and whether it could and should have been prevented.

Ultimately, commercial truckers and the commercial trucking companies that employ them have legal obligations when it comes to reducing risks posed by their massive and monstrously dangerous machines, and for complying with various trucking regulations. In truck accident cases like these, exploring whether truckers and trucking operators failed to uphold those obligations becomes critical to the victims who seek accountability and justice for preventable losses.

Examples of violations and negligent acts investigators may be looking for include:

The trucker’s driving history and commercial driver’s license status, including proper licensing and training.
Whether the trucking company was negligent in the hiring or retention of a potentially unsafe driver or oversight of a safe fleet, or if truck driver negligence played a role.
Whether there were regulatory violations involved, including violations of federal trucking laws regarding vehicle weight restrictions, cargo securement, vehicle maintenance, and more.
Whether the trucker was fatigued (or in violation of hours-of-service rules), distracted or using a cell phone, or impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

Tragedies like these demand answers and investigations conducted by authorities may very well yield some, in addition to potential criminal charges against the responsible party (the crash in this particular case is being treated as a homicide investigation). However, victims need to remember that even if charges are to be filed against a party who allegedly caused a crash, that case would be criminal, and therefore not a viable source of compensation for the damages they suffered.

To seek justice and full compensation following preventable injuries or wrongful death, victims and families need to assert their rights in the civil justice system, which focuses on a defendant’s financial responsibility for victims’ damages rather than their criminal guilt, uses a lower burden of proof than what is used in criminal cases, and provides the most appropriate pathway toward a full and fair financial recovery.

In Pursuit of Justice: Civil Lawsuits Spearheaded by Proven Trial Lawyers

At Aldous Law, our team has staked our claim in guiding clients through the civil personal injury and wrongful death process – and knows the experience and tenacity of proven trial attorneys can make all the difference when it comes to helping victims prevail.

Having cultivated a national reputation for our civil trial practice and our work handling cases across the country involving catastrophic injuries, commercial vehicle and truck accidents, wrongful death, and other complex matters, our firm is always available to help victims and families learn more about their rights and what our award-winning lawyers can do to help.

If you have questions about a potential case, contact us to speak with an attorney.

The Dangers of Overloaded & Improperly Loaded Big Rigs

Truck drivers and trucking companies are expected to follow certain restrictions and regulations to keep everyone on the road safe. When big rig drivers and the companies they haul for fail follow proper precautions, everyone on the road is at risk. The dangers of distracted and tired drivers get a lot of attention. However, there are other trucking regulations that are also important to safety, including making sure cargo loads comply with weight restrictions and are loaded correctly. Truckers, trucking companies, and other employees are responsible for preventing their big rigs from driving with overloaded or improperly loaded cargo. Dangerous situations, including serious collisions, arise when overloaded or unevenly loaded 18-wheelers take to the road. The large size of the big rig, plus the added weight from the cargo, is a cause for concern on the road and acts of negligence should be taken seriously.

At Aldous Law, our Dallas truck crash attorneys understand the difficult situation victims may face after experiencing a collision. We understand that you may have questions regarding your legal rights and options if you’ve been injured; our team can explain the potential dangers of big rigs that are overloaded or improperly loaded, as well as the parties who may be held accountable if a truck crash occurs. Below, you will find the information you need regarding the dangers on the road.

Potential Dangers

When something goes wrong, there can be a number of causes. In some cases, there are some types of accidents that can be caused by overloaded or improperly loaded cargos. For instance, if one side of the cargo is heavier than the other, it may cause the truck to rollover on a sharp turn. In some situations, an overloaded truck can make it difficult for the driver to brake when going downhill.

Other potential dangers of overloaded or improperly loaded trucks include:

Overloaded or improperly loaded big rigs are at risk of jackknifes, which can cause a collision with all cars around.
An overloaded or improperly balanced truck may have difficulty getting up steep inclines.
If a truck is overloaded, it may have trouble when the driver attempts to shift, and can result in the driver losing control of the vehicle.

There are all potential causes of serious collisions and if something does happen, it can result in catastrophic injuries. Big rig crashes can cause broken bones, lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and even worse, death. Understanding what actions you need to take after you or someone you love has been involved in a collision with a big rig is important and you may have the right to pursue legal action.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Depending on the situation, there are a number of parties who can be held liable if a crash occurs due to an overloaded or improperly loaded big rig.

The driver: In some cases, if a driver does not check his or her cargo to make sure it’s loaded properly, they can be held accountable for any accidents that occur as a result.
The cargo loader: It is the duty of the cargo loader to make sure everything is loaded properly and the truck abides by the proper weight limits. If they fail to do so, they may be held liable for a crash.
The trucking company: In some cases, in order to meet deadlines or deliver more products, the trucking company may encourage the cargo loader to put more items in the trailer. This is an act of negligence and may make the company liable for injuries caused.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a big rig crash, it is important to take the proper steps to file a legal action. Our Dallas truck collision lawyers at Aldous Law are here to help you and seek the compensation you deserve. Call us today.