18-wheelers or semi-trucks may be motor vehicles, but they are substantially different than the relatively standard passenger vehicles most people drive. Differences in their design and how they handle on the road can potentially cause severe crashes.
Commercial drivers must complete specialized training to secure a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Despite the increased educational requirements, a momentary lapse in judgment or difficulty controlling the commercial truck can cause a devastating collision.
What design and functional differences contribute to the likelihood of a collision?
1. Longer stopping distances
Bigger, heavier trucks have more momentum than smaller vehicles do when traveling at the same speed. It takes longer for them to stop or to slow down, making it easy for crashes to occur if truck drivers don’t leave adequate following space.
2. Wide turns
Semi-trucks consist of a trailer or cab that attaches to a removable, interchangeable trailer. The unique design of a semi-truck allows for efficient loading and unloading, but it can make turns wider and more difficult to manage. Right turns, in particular, take far more space for a commercial truck than for a smaller vehicle.
3. Issues with weight distribution
A significant portion of a semi-truck’s total weight comes from the trailer it hauls. Improper weight distribution inside a trailer or the failure to secure items inside the trailer can result in a driver losing control. Their vehicle might jackknife or might even roll over because of improper weight distribution in the trailer.
When commercial drivers fail to account for the unique challenges of driving a semi-truck, they can cause potentially devastating collisions. Working with a personal injury attorney to file a commercial insurance claim or a lawsuit after a semi-truck crash can help victims to seek justice.