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According to the Indiana University Public Policy Institute (PPI), in 2020, Indiana registered 14,221 traffic collisions involving commercial vehicles, 90% of which involved large trucks. These accidents tend to be far more devastating than typical car crashes due to several factors unique to large trucks and commercial vehicles.
In such cases, our lawyers at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell can explain how to proceed following a truck accident and build a solid case, significantly improving your chances of securing a fair outcome that covers all the costs associated with the incident. Here, we’ll explain the top factors contributing to the severity of truck accidents and how legal support can make a difference.
1. The Size and Weight of Large Trucks
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, making them substantially heavier and larger than standard passenger vehicles. This weight creates a massive force upon impact, often resulting in severe damage to smaller cars and injuries to their passengers.
Due to this disparity, even low-speed collisions can have devastating outcomes for those in passenger vehicles. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks often cause severe, catastrophic injuries that demand full compensation for victims.
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2. Increased Stopping Distance
Trucks’ higher speed and weight make it harder for drivers to avoid accidents when required to stop suddenly. This is because trucks require significantly more distance to come to a complete stop (up to 40% more) than smaller vehicles. When a truck needs to brake suddenly, the momentum makes it harder to decelerate quickly.
In situations where a car might stop in time, a truck can struggle, leading to rear-end collisions. These crashes are usually more severe, as the force from a heavy truck impacting a smaller vehicle can be very destructive, especially on highways where speeds are higher.
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3. Larger Blind Spots
Commercial trucks have significantly larger blind spots, known as “No-Zones”: areas where smaller vehicles aren’t visible to the truck driver. These include:
- Front: Extends about 20-25 feet in front of the truck. Due to the truck’s height, the driver cannot see vehicles directly in this area.
- Rear: Stretches around 200 feet behind the truck. Tailgating within this zone increases the risk of a rear-end collision if the truck stops suddenly.
- Right side: Covers approximately two lanes, making this side the most extensive blind spot. This area is riskier when trucks make wide right turns.
- Left side: Smaller than the right, it covers about one lane. If you can’t see the truck driver’s face in their mirror, they can’t see you.
When vehicles are caught in these blind spots, they’re at a higher risk of side-swipe accidents or being hit when the truck changes lanes. Properly understanding and navigating the No-Zones is important for both truckers and other drivers to prevent collisions.
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4. Driver Fatigue in Long-Haul Truckers
Fatigue is a common factor in many truck accidents, especially for long-haul drivers. Tiredness severely impairs reaction times, decision-making, and focus, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
While federal regulations mandate rest periods, many truckers drive for extended hours to meet tight deadlines. At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, our lawyers can hold a trucking company liable for an accident when it fails to enforce proper rest breaks or prioritizes delivery speed over driver safety.
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5. Risk of Rollovers
Due to their high center of gravity, trucks are more prone to rollovers, especially when taking turns too quickly or driving uneven roads. In these cases, liability can stem from factors like improper loading or speeding.
Rollover accidents cause widespread damage, often involving multiple vehicles and creating unsafe conditions on the road. These incidents can result in severe injuries or fatalities, as the sheer mass of a rolling truck crushes smaller vehicles.
6. Hazardous Materials and Cargo Spills
Many trucks carry hazardous materials, including flammable liquids, chemicals, or other dangerous substances. If these materials spill in a collision, they can cause explosions, toxic exposure, or environmental contamination.
Even non-hazardous cargo can be dangerous if it spills onto the road and causes secondary accidents. A lawyer can help assess whether the trucking company followed the regulations for transporting such materials, which can be key in seeking compensation for victims.
7. Pressure to Meet Delivery Deadlines Leading to Reckless Driving
The pressure to meet strict delivery deadlines encourages truck drivers to engage in reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and other aggressive maneuvers. These actions increase the risk of accidents and make them more severe when they occur.
Indiana’s trucking laws mandate hours of service (HOS) regulations to prevent driver fatigue. Additionally, there are speed limits and weight regulations in place to ensure safety. When drivers push beyond these limits to meet deadlines, trucking companies (required to enforce these regulations) can be held liable for accidents caused by non-compliance.
How Severe Are Injuries in Truck Accidents?
All of those factors make injuries from truck accidents typically more severe. Victims often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation and face permanent changes in their daily lives, making it crucial to take legal action to recover a compensation amount that covers these costs.
Common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
- Severe fractures or amputations
- Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma
- Burns resulting from vehicle fires or hazardous material spills
What Compensation Can You Seek After a Truck Accident?
One of the steps in a personal injury lawsuit is to use the evidence gathered during the investigation stage to calculate your current and future damages. This means we’ll estimate all the costs that stemmed (and will potentially stem) from the accident to include in your compensation claim.
The goal is that your claim covers all the costs and suffering associated with your injuries. Types of compensation include:
- Medical expenses: Covers emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to time off work during recovery, as well as reduced earning capacity if injuries impact future work abilities.
- Pain and suffering: Addresses the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident, including loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage: Reimbursement for repair or replacement of damaged vehicles and personal property, including the cost of rental cars during the repair period.
If you’re wondering when to consult a lawyer for a truck accident, we recommend you do so as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can help you through every stage of your claim, managing the legal aspects on your behalf while you focus on recovery.
Contact a Local Truck Accident Lawyer in Indiana
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, seek legal support promptly. Our team can offer decades of experience representing accident victims and securing substantial settlements. As shown in our case results, we have a proven track record of building strong compensation cases.
Let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a truck accident! We don’t charge any fees unless we win your case, so you can pursue legal action with no upfront costs. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call 317-488-5500 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form