Head-On Truck Accidents Are Deadly

Head-on accidents are something that a person can literally see coming, but is often helpless to avoid. These kinds of crashes almost always have devastating consequences and the risks are even higher when one of the vehicles is a commercial truck. Although this type of accident is relatively rare, they are notorious for often having fatal consequences. It is estimated, for instance, that although they make up a tiny percentage of truck accidents overall, they account for almost 15 percent of fatal truck crashes.

Where are the Most High Risk Areas for Head-On Truck Accidents? 

While head-on collisions can happen just about anywhere and at any time, they are more likely to occur in certain locations, including:

• Non-divided highways, which, lacking a barrier, make it easier for vehicles to drift into other lanes;
• Narrow roads, which can leave other drivers lacking sufficient room to pass;
• Curves, which are harder for trucks to maneuver, causing them to move into an opposite lane of traffic; and
• One-way streets, including freeway entrances.

For a head-on collision to occur in one of these areas, one of the drivers must be driving in the wrong direction. This usually isn’t voluntary, but could occur because a driver:

• Fell asleep at the wheel;
• Was distracted;
• Was intoxicated;
• Was unable to see the lines between lanes due to inclement weather;
• Was unfamiliar with the area;
• Experienced a medical emergency, such as a seizure or heart attack; or
• Experienced a mechanical failure, which is especially common in large trucks due to the amount of wear and tear put on the vehicles.

Whatever the cause of a head-on collision, the results are usually devastating for the parties involved, especially for those in the smaller vehicle.

Why are Head-On Truck Accidents So Catastrophic? 

Having a thorough understanding of the weight and size of commercial vehicles is really the only way to really appreciate how much damage they are capable of inflicting. To qualify as a large truck, a vehicle must weigh at least 10,000 pounds, which is two and a half times the weight of most passenger vehicles. These, however, are on the light end when it comes to commercial trucks, most of which weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and are between 70 and 80 feet long. Because they are so much larger, they are capable of inflicting a lot more damage in the event of a collision. Crashes are also more likely because commercial trucks (due to their size) take twice as long as passenger vehicles to come to a stop. These vehicles also take a lot longer to turn (because of their length) and take up much more room when they do so. Unfortunately, this means that they aren’t always able to avoid hazards in the way that smaller vehicles can.

Here to Help with Your Legal Questions 

If you or a loved one were involved in a head-on truck accident, you are probably grappling with catastrophic injuries and may even be grieving the loss of a relative. Negligent drivers and trucking companies can and should be held liable for causing these kinds of devastating accidents. Call 813-251-0072 to speak with a member of the dedicated and compassionate Tampa truck accident legal team at Anderson & Anderson to learn more about your legal options.

Sources: 

fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/safety/data-and-statistics/461861/ltcbf-2017-final-5-6-2019.pdf

fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief