The Physics of Truck vs. Car Accidents
In a collision between a truck and a car, there is a lot of physics at work, but you don’t need to be a scientist to know the outcome. Although speed can play a major factor in any accident, an accident between two objects of such different sizes even at low speeds can be catastrophic for the car. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck, you do not even need to read the rest of this to know about the potential damages and injuries that can occur.
If you have been injured in an accident with a truck, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will take the time to discuss your situation, the impact on your life, and how we would move forward if you were to take us on as your legal representation. Do not hesitate — the sooner we begin the process of working towards the damages you are owed, the sooner you can begin to move forward with your life.
Who Is At Greater Risk of Injury?
When a truck and a car collide, the impact of the crash will be considerably greater in the car, because the mass of the truck is so much larger, and therefore will take much longer to stop. This means that the G force in the car will be much higher as it goes from moving to a full stop in a shorter period of time. In many collisions between trucks and cars, the initial impact is much more injurious to the passengers of the car. This is one of many reasons why commercial drivers are required to have a CDL, which holds them to a high standard of driving and ensures that they understand the regulations and safety issues that are present in their job.
However, if a truck jackknifes, rolls over, or something else happens to it following the initial impact, there is an entirely new set of factors that could lead to the truck driver being seriously injured as well.
Types of Truck vs. Car Collisions
There are many different ways that a truck and car can collide, but here are some common truck accidents in Winter Park that we represent:
Rear-End Crashes
If a truck were to rear-end a passenger vehicle, the weight of the passenger vehicle will be no match for the large semi-truck, and will be pushed until both vehicles come to a stop. This means that the passenger vehicle may be driven into another vehicle in front of them, into obstacles on the side of the road, or off an embankment. Even at low speeds, a car can be pushed into a dangerous situation.
Lane Changes
Commercial trucks have large blind spots, which can lead to smaller cars or motorcycles being lost in the mirrors while a trucker is changing lanes. The outcome can be very dangerous for everyone involved. At high speeds, trucks can cause serious damage to a car by crushing it or hitting it into oncoming traffic.
Fatigued Drivers
When commercial truck drivers are tired while operating their vehicle, they put themselves and everyone around them at a greater risk of injury or death. If a driver were to fall asleep, there is a possibility that they could accidentally push on the accelerator and speed up even more before crashing, or they will simply not hit the brakes before a collision.
Speeding Trucks
No matter what type of vehicle it is, speed is a significant factor when it comes to the damages that occur in an accident. Therefore, it goes without saying that a large vehicle operating at high speeds is even more of a danger than a car going at high speeds.
Contact Us About Your Truck Accident Immediately
If you have been involved in a truck accident, you don’t need to be a whiz to understand the real impact that the crash has had on your life. Instead, you need to know that you have a team of legal professionals who are representing you every step of the way. With Abercrombie P.A. on your team, you can focus on recovery knowing that we are fighting for the damages you deserve.