Truck accidents are inherently more dangerous than car accidents due to a combination of physical, mechanical, and logistical factors. These collisions often result in catastrophic damage, both physically and financially, making them some of the most devastating on the road.

Fully loaded, a truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to an average passenger car’s 3,000-4,000 pounds. This stark contrast makes it impossible for smaller vehicles to withstand the force of a truck’s impact without suffering severe damage or loss of life. Additionally, trucks take longer to stop, even in optimal road conditions. The increased braking distance means that any sudden maneuver—whether due to traffic, weather, or human error—carries a higher risk of collision.

In this article, we’ll discuss the factors that make truck accidents uniquely dangerous, explore the severe injuries they often cause, and outline the types of compensation available to victims.

Size and Weight Differences Between Trucks and Cars

As we mentioned earlier, the average passenger car weighs around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, while a fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. This drastic difference in mass plays a crucial role in the severity of accidents and overall road safety.

Generally, truck accidents are more catastrophic than most car collisions due to the following reasons:

Impact of Size and Weight on Safety

Virginia’s trucking laws regulate maximum truck size and weight to ensure safer roads, but catastrophic accidents remain unavoidable due to physics. When a truck, which may weigh 20 to 30 times more than a car, collides with a smaller vehicle, the impact force is substantially higher, increasing the likelihood of life-altering injuries or fatalities.

Additionally, trucks’ disparity in size and weight also affects maneuverability and reaction times, making it harder for truck drivers to avoid accidents.

Collision Force and Fatalities

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks were involved in 9% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2021, even though passenger vehicles made up 92% of all registered vehicles.

This is because the heavier a vehicle, the greater the force it exerts during a crash. Fatalities in truck accidents disproportionately affect occupants of smaller vehicles, as trucks’ structure and weight provide better protection to truck drivers.

Longer Stopping Distances

Due to their weight, trucks require much more time and space to come to a stop than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded truck may need up to 40% more distance to stop, even under ideal road conditions.

Rain, snow, or poorly maintained brakes further increase these stopping distances, making accidents more likely.

Rollover Risks

Trucks’ higher center of gravity makes them more prone to rollovers during sharp turns, high winds, or sudden evasive maneuvers. Rollovers can involve multiple vehicles and cause serious injuries to others on the road, and proper load distribution is essential to prevent them.

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Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries that go beyond what you’d typically encounter in a car crash. This is largely due to the immense size and force of the vehicles involved, combined with factors such as cargo weight, higher impact speeds, and the unique dynamics of commercial trucks, such as jackknifing and rollovers. Overall, these are the most common injuries we see in our clients’ cases:

For the causes we presented earlier, the severity of injuries in truck accidents often exceeds those sustained in other types of vehicle collisions. In these cases, seeking compensation through the legal system is crucial for victims, allowing them to recover without worrying about the financial burden.

Who Is at Greater Risk of Harm in a Truck Accident?

Occupants of passenger vehicles face significantly higher risks in truck accidents than truck drivers. Truck cabs offer structural protection and a higher seating position, which helps shield drivers during collisions.

In contrast, passenger vehicle occupants absorb the majority of the impact. Furthermore, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists remain extremely vulnerable in these accidents. Their lack of physical protection makes them far more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

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Ways to Reduce the Risks of Truck Accidents

To minimize the risks of truck accidents, trucking companies must adhere to Virginia’s hours-of-service rules, properly maintain their vehicles, and conduct regular inspections.

Meanwhile, passenger vehicle drivers can reduce risks by following these tips:

  1. Maintain a safe following distance: Trucks need more space to stop, and tailgating increases the chances of rear-end collisions.
  2. Stay out of blind spots: Trucks have large blind spots; so avoid lingering in areas where the driver cannot see your vehicle.
  3. Use signals early and clearly: Due to their size and limited maneuverability, trucks require additional time and distance to react to lane changes or turns.
  4. Know what to do if you’re involved in a truck accident: Taking the right steps after a truck accident ensures your injuries are properly documented and protects your legal rights, increasing your chances of securing fair compensation. 

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Why Truck Accident Claims Can Be More Complicated Than Car Accident Claims

Truck accident claims require in-depth knowledge of multiple legal frameworks and thorough investigations to establish liability. Here are a few factors that make these cases more challenging:

  • State and federal regulations: Trucking companies must comply with different state and federal rules, such as hours-of-service limits and weight restrictions, which influence liability determinations during a claim.
  • Detailed investigations: Evidence like black box data, driver logs, vehicle inspections, and maintenance records must be thoroughly reviewed to determine fault and identify potential safety violations.
  • Multiple parties involved: Liability may involve the driver, the trucking company, or manufacturers of defective parts, complicating fault allocation across different entities.
  • Higher insurance policies: Commercial trucks carry substantial coverage, but insurers often resist large payouts. This makes experienced legal representation critical.

Partnering with a skilled truck accident lawyer is essential to handle these complex cases. Our attorneys at Tronfeld West & Durrett can conduct detailed investigations, identify liable parties, and negotiate with insurers to secure maximum compensation on your behalf.

How an Attorney Can Assist With a Truck Accident Claim

An experienced truck accident attorney makes all the difference when pursuing compensation: they can efficiently handle your case by gathering evidence, identifying liable parties, and managing difficult negotiations.

So, don’t navigate the legal system alone: at Tronfeld West & Durrett, we’ve advocated for injured individuals since 1972. Over our more than five decades of experience, we’ve secured multiple multi-million dollar settlements for families across Virginia, and we can do the same for you.

Plus, we don’t charge any fees unless we recover fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.

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