Rear-end truck accidents can result in severe injuries to the victims in the front vehicle. A large truck can put a lot of force behind a collision, leading to severe property damage and trauma. Did you suffer injuries in a rear-end truck accident? A truck accident lawyer can help you learn more about your right to compensation and the steps you should take next.
The average big truck needs a great deal more room to stop than a passenger vehicle. Big trucks may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. That means a lot of force must come to a full stop–and big trucks often do not have adequate room to stop fast. The extended time needed to stop a big truck is the leading cause of rear-end truck crashes across the nation.
Generally, semi-trucks take 1/3 longer to stop at highway speeds.
If you get hit in the rear, the fault may depend on what led to the collision. But most of the time, yes, the trucker should have allowed more distance between vehicles. While most commercial drivers stay within the posted speed limits, some do not. Speeding trucks are especially dangerous.
The average passenger vehicle driver, who may never have had the opportunity to operate or ride in a big truck, may not realize how long it takes to bring a big truck to a full stop and what challenges the driver may face if he tries to stop too fast.
If you changed lanes abruptly in front of the truck driver and slowed down, which did not leave him with enough room to come to a safe stop, you may bear some responsibility for the accident–particularly if, for example, you changed lanes abruptly in an intersection and had to come to a fast stop as a result.
If a truck driver decides to follow you too closely without allowing adequate room to bring the truck to a stop, and you must stop abruptly, the truck driver may be liable for the accident.
Truck drivers are responsible for maintaining a safe following distance, whether they’re on level ground or navigating steep hills. Sometimes, however, they may choose to push their rate of speed or linger too close to the car in front of them rather than slow down and reduce the risk of a serious accident.
Even a moment’s distraction–including everything from looking down to checking the GPS to trying to eat while driving–can prove catastrophic for the driver of a big truck.
Truck drivers must respond quickly to potential hazards, including a vehicle stopping before them. If the truck driver’s distraction caused your accident, the truck driver may bear liability.
In rear-end truck accidents, the driver of the vehicle that hits from behind is usually at fault. This is often due to bad braking or following too closely, which are common issues for the driver in the rear vehicle.
Rear-end truck accidents need careful review, especially to see if you stopped before the truck driver. You may also find that additional factors contributed to your rear-end truck collision: for example, if your accident occurred because the truck’s brakes failed, the truck driver’s company, the manufacturer of the truck, or a mechanic that recently worked on the brakes may bear liability for the accident.
Have an experienced tractor-trailer accident attorney evaluate your accident to help better determine liability.
Rear-end collisions account for around 23% of motor vehicle crashes across the United States. They lead to around 2,000 deaths and an estimated 950,000 injuries each year.
2/3 of truck accidents occur because of driver error, including:
Any of those factors can quickly contribute to a rear-end truck collision.
Texas routinely sees more truck accidents each year than any other state due in part to the high volume of truck traffic that needs to move through the area.
Around 22% of truck accidents are rear-ending collisions with a vehicle in the truck’s travel lane, often due to a truck driver failing to allow following adequate room or another driver pulling out in front of the big truck. Texas truck accident statistics are clear- Texas has a truck accident problem.
Rear-end truck accidents can result in severe injuries, especially if the truck has little to no assistance stopping and continues to plow forward for a while before coming to a stop. Common injuries include:
Rear-end truck accident injuries can cause immense suffering and high medical bills. A truck accident claim can help you pursue the compensation you may deserve for those injuries.
If you suffered serious injuries in a rear-end truck collision, you do not have to handle your claim on your own! Instead, contact our truck wreck law firm today to learn more about how we can help you navigate the aftermath of a rear-end truck accident and resulting injuries. Including a personal injury claim that can help you pursue compensation for the financial losses related to your accident.
Call for a Free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced TX truck accident attorney.
Visit our Austin truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529
Visit our Baytown truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529
Visit our The Woodlands truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529
Visit our Waco 18wheeler truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529