Big Rig Danger And Personal Injury Damages
In a perfect world, vehicles share the road peacefully, obeying the rules, sticking to the speed limit, and never getting distracted. Unfortunately, thousands of accidents occur every day resulting in serious injuries and death to vehicle occupants. When it comes to vehicle vs. vehicle, wrecks can be extremely serious affairs. If you add big rig trucks to the mix, things get much worse much quicker. Read on to find out why big rigs are so dangerous.
What Makes Big Rigs So Dangerous?
Big rigs, 18-wheelers, transfer trucks – whatever you call them, consumers would be very unhappy if they didn't do the work they do to transport goods from point A to point B. Just like wrecks between two similar vehicles, speed causes many big rig accidents. Unfortunately, the size and weight of these road behemoths can automatically multiply the effects of collisions. Take a look at this list of issues common in wrecks with big rigs:
- Distractions – Many truckers drive in an environment that includes entertainment options and more. Not only are the cabs filled with potentially distracting items, but truckers must often communicate with their employers, dispatchers, and others as part of their jobs. In addition, a trucker who's behind on their route may not have time to stop for a bite to eat and thus can be occupied with eating and drinking while driving at the same time.
- Fatigue – There are limits on exactly how long a trucker can drive before they take a break. Some drivers, though, willfully disobey the rules in order to meet stringent deadlines and when carrying perishables. A tired driver is a bad driver, and when they dose off, the consequences can be horrendous.
- Load Shifts – There is an art to properly loading a truck in a safe manner. Should the cargo be allowed to shift, slide, collapse, etc., then an accident could occur. When the bulk of the weight in back shifts to the left or right, the entire rig could be splayed out on its side in a flash. You would hope never to be underneath a big rig that flips onto its side.
- Lack of Maintenance – The bigger the truck, the more important it is for the brakes to work properly. Unfortunately, some big trucks are not as well-maintained as they should be. Bad brakes and other maintenance problems can lead to malfunctions that put others sharing the road in danger.
Big rig owners owe other drivers a duty of care. That means it's their responsibility to do everything they can to avoid harming others on the road. If you have been hurt in a wreck with a big rig, speak to a truck wreck attorney about what you are owed today.