Truck accident injuries can be more severe and include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and even fatalities. Many people associate the severity of truck accident injuries with the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, which are a couple more times bigger and heavier than a typical passenger car.
However, there are other factors outside of truck size and weight that make truck accidents significantly more grave than car crashes, such as the following:
Stopping distance
Trucks require longer stopping distances compared to a passenger car because of their size and weight. If a driver fails to stop in time, impact with a smaller vehicle or passersby can be catastrophic. The force of impact in a collision with a heavy truck is much greater than that of a crash involving two cars.
Higher ground clearance
Trucks have a higher ground clearance, which means that there is more space between the lowest point of the vehicle and the ground. While this feature has its benefits, especially when overcoming road obstacles, it can lead to “underride” accidents where a car slides underneath the trailer of a truck, which can result in severe or fatal injuries to the occupants of the car.
Cargo issues
Trucks carrying cargo, such as 18-wheeler delivery trucks, can face issues such as shifting loads or spilled contents, which can lead to multi-vehicle accidents and has a higher potential for severe injuries.
Make informed decisions as a victim
If you suffered injuries from a truck accident, having the right resources and knowledgeable legal guidance can help you pursue the compensation you deserve to help you with recovering from your injuries. This allows you to make informed decisions and minimize errors that could result in adverse consequences.