Tractor trailer crashes are among the most deadly events to be involved in. More than 4,500 people are killed every year in these crashes, and tens of thousands more suffer severe injuries. Here are just some reasons that tractor trailer crashes are so deadly:
- The large size of the vehicles involved
- One of the biggest reasons that tractor trailer crashes are so dangerous is that the trailers themselves are so big and heavy. This may not seem like it should matter, but their large size and heavy weight means they hit with far more force than a lighter vehicle would. This dramatically increases the chances of a serious injury or death in the event of an accident.
- The high chances of speeding
- Many tractor trailer crashes occur on the highway, where vehicles are often speeding, which significantly increases both the risk and deadliness of an accident. However, even when not on a highway, truck drivers often speed to meet their strict delivery deadlines. The faster a truck goes when it gets into an accident, the worse the accident will be.
- The risks of distracted driving
- Tractor trailer crashes become far more likely when the drivers involved are distracted. While any driver might have their attention diverted by cell phones or other distractions, truck drivers need to pay attention to radio traffic as part of their jobs. This can lead to them not noticing other vehicles until it is too late, causing an accident.
- The high risk of driving while fatigued
- A sad fact of the trucking profession is that many truck drivers are forced to go on the road while they are physically and mentally exhausted. This can lead them to be more easily distracted, and make them react more slowly to things happening on the road, increasing the chances of an accident. In rare cases, they may even fall asleep behind the wheel, which makes a crash almost certain.
- The danger of blind spots
- Tractor trailer crashes often occur because the drivers simply do not see vehicles behind or beside them. This is because their size creates large blind spots that prevent them from having full awareness of the road around them. As a result, they may collide right into another vehicle, causing severe injuries.
Fox Law Firm, PLLC is a New York personal injury law practice serving clients throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. With decades of experience, the attorneys at Fox Law Firm, PLLC, have helped clients in personal injury cases obtain the compensation they deserve. For more information or to ask for a consultation, call our Riverhead office at 631-779-3400 or visit our contact page.
