Accident involving tractor-trailer shuts down highway

June 26, 2013

Accident involving tractor-trailer shuts down highway

Article provided by Law Offices of Kelly R. Reed, PLLC
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Anyone who has been involved in an accident involving a large commercial vehicle such as a tractor-trailer knows that the consequences are devastating. The chance of a serious injury or even death increases significantly in this type of accident. This is illustrated by a recent head-on collision on the West Virginia Turnpike involving a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler carrying hazardous materials.

Three individuals suffered injuries in the accident

According to WCHS, three individuals were injured in the collision. The driver of the passenger vehicle, was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital. All northbound lanes were shut down for nearly a day following the accident, with one lane eventually reopening the next morning.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report that large trucks such as tractor-trailers with a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds are responsible for a "disproportionate number of accident fatalities based on miles driven. For example, large trucks have a fatal crash rate of 2.4 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, more than 50 percent greater than the rate for all vehicles on the road. Like the example above, the victims are typically the occupants of passenger vehicles, who account for 98 percent of all fatalities in two-vehicle accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck.

Heavy truck weight increases the chance of an accident

One of the main reasons for these disturbing statistics is truck weight, which continues to increase. The industry standard trailer length for vehicles such as tractor-trailers was only 40 feet in the 1960's. By the 1970's this length had increased to 48 feet. The length increased to 53 feet in the 1980's and today some states even allow 57- or 59-foot trailers.

The impact of the heavier weight is quite serious. Trucks carrying heavier weight have a longer stopping time. A National Academy of Sciences study reports that a truck with unadjusted breaks that weighs 100,000 pounds travels 25 percent further after the driver steps on the breaks than a truck weighing only 80,000 pounds.

Compensation for the injured motorist

An individual who suffers injuries in a truck accident carrying a heavy load often faces substantial medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. In this situation it could be beneficial to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney familiar with large truck accidents understands trucking rules and regulations and how they may apply to a particular set of circumstances. A qualified attorney can use this knowledge to help with obtaining all available compensation.