If you’ve ever driven around busy city streets or highway intersections, you’re all too familiar with the not-so-fun dangers that come with merging traffic going every which way. One of the ugliest accident types that can go down in these high-risk areas is the dreaded T-bone collision between your average passenger vehicle and a big commercial truck.
Properly called broadside accidents, these T-bone crashes tend to result in some serious injuries or even loss of your life. As a driver looking to stay safe or an accident victim, it’s important to get down what usually causes T-bone truck wrecks and how to minimize the risk.
But should the unfortunate happen, you can always count on T-bone truck accident lawyers.
Common Causes of T-Bone Truck Accidents
One of the main causes of potentially deadly T-bone collisions is failing to give the right of way at intersections. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers misjudge gaps in traffic or speeds and pull right out in front of an oncoming vehicle.
Similarly, blowing through red lights or stop signs is a primary reason for T-bone accidents, especially involving those large commercial trucks that take longer to put on the brakes. Drivers being distracted by cell phones or other things also contribute to not properly judging gaps and speeds while merging or turning.
Commercial Vehicle Limitations
Beyond drivers not yielding or paying attention, an important thing to understand is the inherent limits big trucks face compared to regular passenger vehicles. Stopping distance is one major difference – it can take a commercial truck or box truck way longer to come to a complete halt, even when the brakes are slapped on immediately.
Another issue involves blind spots that block commercial drivers’ views of merging or crossing traffic. The large size and layout of commercial vehicles mean drivers have limited visibility, especially to the sides and rear quarters of their rigs.
Adverse Road Conditions
Just like with any vehicle, road conditions that take away traction or visibility increase accident risks for all motorists. However, these hazards have an even bigger effect involving large commercial trucks. Things like rain, snow, or ice that reduce friction between tires and the road surface significantly lengthen safe stopping distances.
Heavy trucks also take longer to speed up from a full stop on slick roads. Diminished sight lines due to dense fog, heavy rain, or glare from the low sun make it tougher for drivers to see and avoid collisions.
The Role of Experience
Another important variable that affects accident risk is driving experience, which plays a role for both commercial drivers and other motorists. Unfortunately, inattentive or overconfident behavior is too often seen from new drivers not used to larger vehicle limitations or complex intersections.
Likewise, commercial truck drivers early in their careers may misjudge gaps, blind spots, or stopping abilities due to a lack of experience operating heavy equipment. That said, a lack of experience and training can contribute to collisions at any stage.
Getting the Support You Need From T-Bone Truck Accident Lawyers
To wrap it all up, by comprehending these risk factors and practicing cautious, focused driving, motorists can help reduce the chances of being involved in one of these dangerous accidents. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being injured in a T-bone trucking accident, it’s important to get in touch with experienced T-bone truck accident lawyers.
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