Why Semi-Truck Crashes are So Dangerous

 Posted on October 19, 2023 in Truck Accidents

In 2021, 5,700 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, with 117,300 large trucks being part of injury crashes. With such staggering numbers, it is apparent that semi-truck crashes often have devastating results.

If you have been involved in a semi-truck crash, you need a Lake County truck accident attorney who has been helping victims of large truck collisions for over 30 years.

The Dangers of Large Trucks

A large truck is defined as any truck that has a gross vehicle weight of greater than 10,000 pounds. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds. This creates problems with stopping quickly in traffic. In fact, it can take a semi-truck traveling at 65 miles per hour the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop. 

Some other tidbits about tractor-trailers:

• The mass of a truck or bus increases the risk of severe injuries and death in the event of a crash;
• The average car weighs about 4,100 pounds, meaning that trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles;
• A commercial truck with high ground clearance can push or pull a passenger vehicle traveling alongside it;
• Trucks and buses take more time to accelerate going uphill but will gain significant speed going downhill; and
• The size and weight of a large truck makes maneuverability, acceleration, and braking more challenging

Common Truck Accidents

When a tractor-trailer is loaded to its maximum weight, it stands a higher chance of being in an accident. That’s because a fully loaded or “laden” truck will have a higher center of gravity, making it dangerous for the truck to take tight curves and turns without rolling over. 

Common semi-truck accidents are:

Rollover accidents 

A semi-truck that is loaded to the brim will have a higher center of gravity, making it at risk of rolling over when taking curves and ramps.

Rear-end collisions 

At normal highway speeds, a tractor-trailer may take 525 feet to come to a complete stop, while a passenger car will only take 316 feet to stop.

Jackknifing 

Jackknife accidents take place when a truck driver tries to stop quickly at a high speed. This occurs when a tractor skids. If the trucker does not steer in the direction of the skid, the trailer may push the cab to the side until it hits the side of the trailer.  

The cab and trailer form a “V,” which resembles a pocket knife. In this situation, a trucker will lose control, potentially hitting other vehicles. Considering the rig is often fully loaded, a jackknifing accident can potentially kill the driver.

A Waukegan truck accident attorney will be able to investigate your truck accident case to determine the reason the accident occurred. This may involve anything from the inattentiveness of the truck driver to the truck rig being overloaded.

A Waukegan, IL, Truck Accident Attorney

Semi-trucks pose a serious threat to other vehicles and road users. If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage. Contact Salvi & Maher, LLP today to schedule your free consultation with a Lake County, IL, truck accident lawyer and find out how we can help you.