Sharing the road with semitrucks can be challenging, as these large vehicles are associated with unique hazards. Big rigs are impressively large when they have a trailer attached, and they’re incredibly heavy when they’re full loaded with cargo. This combination makes any semitruck wreck potentially catastrophic.
Understanding these risks is important, as anyone who’s injured in a semitruck wreck will need to identify the cause of their big rig crash in order to pursue compensation from at-fault parties.
Risk of mechanical failures
Semitrucks require regular maintenance to operate safely. When mechanical failures occur, they can be disastrous to the trucker and others on the roadway. For instance, brake failures are particularly dangerous, given the weight and size of these vehicles. A semitruck’s braking system must be in top condition to stop effectively, especially during emergency situations. Tire blowouts are another common mechanical issue. This can lead to a trucker losing control of their rig, which can cause it to plow into other vehicles.
Risk of rollovers
Semitrucks have a high center of gravity, which makes them more susceptible to rollovers, especially during sharp turns or sudden maneuvers. Rollovers can occur when a truck takes a curve too quickly or when the load shifts unexpectedly. These incidents are particularly dangerous because they can lead to multi-vehicle accidents, given the size and momentum of a rolling truck.
Risk of jackknife incidents
Jackknife incidents occur when the trailer of a semitruck swings out to form a sharp angle with the cab, resembling a folding pocketknife. This typically happens when a truck’s drive wheels lock up during sudden braking that causes the trailer to skid. Jackknifing is highly dangerous because it often results in a trailer blocking multiple lanes of traffic, which can potentially lead to severe collisions.
Victims of semitruck crashes must ensure that they get proper medical care to address any injuries they have sustained. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim against at-fault parties to help them recover the money they have to spend on medical care and other expenses related to the crash. There’s a limited time to do this, so working with a legal representative to get a case together quickly may be beneficial.
