Truck Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer of liability

Semi-trailer accidents can be very confusing for victims. If you have been involved in a commercial truck accident, the following questions can help you understand what to do and what rights you have.

What qualifies as a commercial truck?

A commercial truck is a large vehicle that is used to transport commercial goods during the course of business. Generally, commercial trucks:

Require a commercial driver’s license to operate it
They have a specific purpose
They are bigger than normal vehicles
Some examples of commercial trucks are delivery trucks, tankers, and 18-wheelers.

What are some common factors that cause truck accidents?

Driver errors are the most common cause of collisions between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Federal law places a limitation for truck drivers on how many hours they can work consecutively; Failure to respect these laws can lead to fatigue and accidents. Additionally, drivers must undergo Department of Transportation drug testing to gain access to a commercial driver’s license. Driving under the influence of substances can lead to accidents for which the driver is responsible.

Other contributing factors include the following:

• distracted driving
• drive at full speed
• carry uninsured cargo
• defective vehicles or equipment
• Passenger vehicle drivers can also cause truck accidents by driving in areas not visible to the truck driver, attempting to circle the truck aggressively, or driving recklessly. It is difficult for the truck driver to respond in these situations, since the truck brakes slower and you have to maneuver a lot. Truck accidents can also be caused by faulty or malfunctioning parts and even improper loading techniques.

What is a “no-show zone” for a truck?

A “no-see zone” for a truck is the area from which the truck driver has little or no visibility. Usually it is the trailer behind the truck. Drivers are less likely to see another vehicle directly behind the truck when there is a short distance between the two vehicles. Other areas of little or no visibility are the rear left and right sides.

Are truck accidents more likely to cause personal injury than passenger cars?
A commercial truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. By comparison, a passenger car weighs only about 3,000 pounds. Given the difference in size, commercial trucks have the potential to cause a lot of damage to smaller vehicles and more serious injuries, or even death, to the occupants of passenger vehicles.

Did you have a truck accident?

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* Information obtained from: www.abogado.com