Crashes between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks can have devastating consequences. Smaller vehicles can sustain massive damage during collisions with commercial vehicles that are several times larger than they are. The people inside may be vulnerable to severe injury, even if they use proper restraints.
Some collisions occur due to issues with the road or problems with the vehicles involved in the wreck. Such collisions may not be preventable because they occur due to factors that are outside of the control of the drivers. However, many collisions occur because of mistakes made by the people operating motor vehicles. Even commercial drivers whose careers depend on their consistent compliance with traffic regulations can make mistakes that lead to life-altering injuries. What common mistakes can contribute to semi-truck collisions?
Getting too close to a semi-truck
Sometimes, the mistake that causes a commercial collision comes from the driver of the smaller vehicle. Frequently, that mistake involves entering the blind spots of a semi-truck.
Other times, the mistake might involve merging or turning too close in front of a commercial vehicle. Commercial trucks require more space to come to a complete stop or to turn. Drivers who don’t leave adequate space can end up in a crash with a commercial truck.
Driving too fast for road conditions
Frequently, the mistakes that lead to commercial collisions come from the commercial driver. According to research by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, approximately 38% of the wrecks caused by commercial trucks occur due to improper decisions made by truck drivers.
Driving too fast for road and traffic conditions is one of the most common mistakes drivers make. The pressure they feel to get their loads in on time and to be as quick as possible may result in them causing preventable collisions when they cannot slow down or stop in time.
Maneuvering abruptly
Commercial drivers often have to perform their jobs in unfamiliar areas. While they may have GPS devices to help them navigate, they may be unfamiliar with local roads. Sometimes, commercial drivers fail to notice an approaching exit or intersection until they are very close.
At that point, they may need to maneuver aggressively. They could overlook other vehicles near them in traffic or could potentially lose control of their vehicle, especially if the trailer has imbalanced weight distribution. Seemingly minor choices can end up being major mistakes in a commercial transportation scenario.
Both professional drivers and their employees can be financially and legally responsible for 18-wheeler collisions caused by traffic mistakes. Understanding the common causes of semi-truck crashes may help people protect themselves and demand accountability after a wreck.