Why Are Collisions with Big Rigs So Much More Dangerous? - Adamson Ahdoot LLP

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Why Are Collisions with Big Rigs So Much More Dangerous?

September 23, 2020 Alan Ahdoot

Motor Vehicle accidents are always dangerous and have the potential to cause serious damage. Accidents with big rigs like semi trucks and tractor trailers, however, cause serious damage and have the potential to be life-threatening. As a driver, it is important to understand how to share the road with large trucks so you can keep yourself and others safe. Here, we’re going to take a look at the common reasons why collisions with big rigs are so much more dangerous than a typical car accident.  

Semi Trucks Carry Heavy Cargo

The average car weighs approximately 5,000 pounds. The average semi truck, however, weighs as much as 80,000 pounds. Any time a vehicle with that much weight hits another vehicle, damage is inevitable, and the smaller vehicle is in much greater danger. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for semis to be overloaded with cargo. When that happens, they are difficult to control. The weight of the load can easily topple over with a wrong turn, causing serious damage.

Trucks Must Follow Specific Rules

Due to the size of the loads, semis carry, they must follow certain rules of the road and limit their travel to specific highways. There are also overpasses that semis cannot go under because of their height. If a truck driver ignores or misses a sign regarding size limitations, it can cause a disastrous accident that leads to serious injuries and even death.

Big Rigs Are Difficult to Handle in Hazardous Conditions

Wind, rain, hail, sleet, snow, and fog are all conditions that make it difficult to drive. Average commuters have the option to decide to stay off the road when the weather is bad. Unfortunately, semi trucks must continue to travel and carry their cargo no matter the road conditions. When the road is wet or iced over, the outcome of an accident with a big rig can be even worse because the trailer is more difficult to control. It is not uncommon to see rollover or jackknife accidents during poor weather conditions.

Large Tractor Trailers Move Unexpectedly

Driving a semi truck requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). To obtain a CDL, drivers must go through specific training on how to handle a large truck and also how to react to the movements of the truck. If a semi truck driver is new to the job, they might not be able to handle the rig well when conditions on the road or in traffic get dicey. When a rig moves unexpectedly, it can easily take out multiple vehicles, causing tragic accidents such as pile-ups, rollovers, and more. 

Common Injuries Sustained After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents are more likely to result in death or serious injury than a collision between two passenger cars. Because of the difference in size and weight between big rigs and regular commuter vehicles, the occupants of passenger cars typically face injuries that are far more severe than that of the truck driver.

Here are a few common truck accident injuries:

  • Back, neck, and spine injuries: In a high impact crash, drivers and passengers often suffer from muscle strains, soft tissue injuries, and tendon damage. Back, neck, and spine injuries can reduce your range of motion and make it difficult for you to perform daily activities.
  • Head injuries: Head trauma can result in an injury to the brain, which can be life-altering. Brain injuries may not be immediately noticeable but can cause confusion, vision problems, headaches, nausea, and slurred speech.
  • Broken bones: The sheer size of a truck’s impact can result in broken ribs, arms, and legs, though fractures can materialize in almost any part of the body.
  • Lacerations: Cuts and scrapes are common with any car injury. Keep an eye out for shattered glass, sharp metal, and hard plastic.
  • Internal injuries: Powerful blunt trauma can cause internal bleeding to organs like the bladder, liver, kidney, pancreas, and spleen.

Experienced Semi Truck Accident Attorneys in California

If you are looking for a personal injury attorney in California to handle your truck accident claim, you can trust the attorneys at Adamson Ahdoot LLP. Adamson Ahdoot combines the personalized attention you receive from a boutique firm with the knowledge and expertise of a large firm, all to secure you the best possible outcome. At Adamson Ahdoot LLP, our attorneys are highly skilled in numerous areas of law, and we have attorneys fluent in both English and Spanish. We are capable of handling all aspects of civil litigation, from the inception of the case through trial. 

To schedule your free consultation, call 877-871-3265 or contact us online today. We are well-versed in California law and know how to fight for the outcome you deserve.

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