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Reasons Why Truck Accidents are More Dangerous than Car Accidents
As more people turn to online shopping, more deliveries need to be completed, resulting in more truck accidents on national roads and highways. According to statistics, there were 4,119 people who lost their lives in a trucking accident in 2019. Additionally, it is estimated that 130,000 are injured in truck accidents annually.Â
If you have been involved in a trucking accident recently, it’s important you consider speaking with a reputable California truck accident lawyer. Most people don’t know the various laws surrounding these accidents, so consulting with a well-known legal team like the one at the Law Offices of Scott Righthand is always beneficial. We can help you establish fault, obtain evidence, and should your case go to a trial, we are more than capable of representing you in court.Â
The Four Reasons Why Truck Accidents Are More Dangerous Than Car Accidents
There are primarily four reasons why truck accidents are more dangerous than car accidents. If you have been the victim of a truck accident, you should not wait to consult with one of our lawyers. We are well equipped to handle your truck accident case.Â
The Size Of Trucks
Trucks are significantly larger than passenger vehicles which is why it’s unsurprising that one of the main reasons trucking accidents are more dangerous is because of their size. On average, the length of a commercial truck is between 70 and 80 feet, while the average length of a car is between 10 and 14 feet. This substantial difference makes trucks more likely to seriously damage vehicles when they collide and thus cause more severe injuries.Â
Additionally, the height difference between trucks and cars is another reason why trucking accidents are more dangerous. Trucks with significant height have a higher likelihood of overriding a passenger vehicle when in an accident. Moreover, people also suffer serious injuries when their car slides underneath a tall truck during an accident.Â
The Weight Of Trucks
How much a truck weighs is another relevant reason why truck accidents are more dangerous than car accidents. Very large commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while in comparison, a regular-sized passenger car weighs approximately 5,000 pounds. This huge weight differentiation means that it’s more severe when a truck accident occurs because the car takes on most of the impact.Â
Additionally, a truck’s cargo weight added to its original weight makes it more likely to be involved in severe rollover accidents. Moreover, because a truck can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, they have bigger issues slowing down and coming to a full stop, leading to severe head-on, side-impact, and rear-end collisions.Â
Hazardous Cargo
Another reason why trucking accidents are more severe is that many commercial trucks carry hazardous cargo. For example, there are many trucks that carry heavy and abnormal loads containing heavy objects; many also carry flammable materials and corrosive substances.
When a truck gets into an accident, it is highly likely to spill its hazardous cargo loaded, which leads to fires, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals, and crushing fatalities.Â
Strict And Unreasonable Deadlines
As we mentioned previously, trucks are having to do more deliveries now than ever before. With more online purchases and deliveries needing to be completed, there are stricter and more unreasonable deadlines that truck drivers need to meet.Â
Since truck drivers are under immense pressure to meet the scheduling goals, they are more likely to participate in speeding and aggressive and distracted driving, which leads to severe accidents. Additionally, driver fatigue in combination with strict deadlines causes drivers to overexert themselves and thus cause more accidents.Â
Speak With A California Truck Accident Lawyer Today To Discuss Your Lawsuit
Truck accidents can cause severe injuries, which is why consulting with a California truck accident lawyer to speak about your legal options is important. At the Law Offices of Scott Righthand, we know how severe truck accidents can be and how they can result in incredibly financial, emotional, and physical trauma. That’s why we diligently evaluate all aspects of your case while openly communicating to ensure our clients receive the service they expect. If you are ready to begin a truck accident claim, you can contact us to arrange a consultation.
