In order for a tractor-trailer, or semi-truck, to avoid an accident, the driver has to begin braking much earlier than a passenger vehicle. In fact, a truck driver traveling at normal highway speeds can take almost 200 yards, or the equivalent of two football fields, to completely stop a fully-loaded “big rig.”
This assumes that a trucker is driving in ideal conditions. Far too often, truck drivers have to operate during bad weather or road conditions in order to make it to their destinations on time. In such circumstances, truck accidents are bound to happen.
If you have suffered injuries in a truck collision, you need the attorneys at Blackburn Romey to review your case and apprise you of your rights.
The stopping distance of commercial vehicles, including an 18-wheeler or a semi-truck, is much greater than that of a smaller passenger vehicle like a saloon car.
Here are the guidelines for stopping distances according to the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA):
For visual context, a passenger car requires the length of an entire football field to halt when traveling at 65 mph. On the other hand, an 18-wheeler would require the lengths of two football fields to come to a stop.
Here are a few factors that a truck driver should look out for:
Good-quality tires create grip and traction that are vital in maintaining vehicle control and reducing stopping distances. Worn-out tires do not produce enough friction, reducing the traction coefficient.
The impacted traction causes the tires to slide over the road surface without stopping, regardless of a quality braking system. Over-inflation and under-inflation are critical factors in wearing out and reducing road-to-tire contact.
An ideal road condition enhances tire grip and vehicle control. When the road is icy, wet, or covered in snow, it is naturally slippery, which significantly impacts the stopping distance.
Therefore, the stopping distance during rain and wet weather is likely to be twice as long as in dry weather. Similarly, dirt, loose chippings, and loose gravel do not offer good traction, leading to an increased stopping distance.
The faster the speed, the longer it takes to stop, and the greater the crash risk. Even so, speeding and stopping distances do not increase simultaneously. A slight speed increase could lead to a greater stopping distance.
If there’s a need to apply emergency brakes, the stopping distance affects how long it takes for a truck to stop. This includes the time it takes for a driver to perceive a hazard and recognize the right action before applying pressure to the brakes.
Stopping distance varies from driver to driver and may be influenced by factors including driver fatigue, visual impairment, and distractions.
In dense traffic conditions, the safest speed of a truck is the speed of the surrounding vehicles. Vehicles are less likely to crash when traveling at the same speed in the same direction. Truckers in most states, including Indiana, have lower speed limits to compensate for their higher stopping distance.
The force of gravity exerts pressure when a truck moves downhill or uphill. When a truck moves uphill, the stopping distance reduces as gravity pulls the truck and its load downhill.
The opposite applies downhill; gravity pushes the truck and its load forward, increasing its stopping distance.
Considering the risk of navigating a truck on a hill, a driver should select and maintain a speed that is not too fast for:
Although truck drivers rarely sustain injuries during collisions, some endure severe or fatal injuries.
Truck drivers can stay out of danger using the following tips:
Some additional defensive driving tips include:
Here are a few steps to handle a brake failure emergency:
Insurance companies use driver’s records, among other factors, when setting up insurance premiums. So, being involved in a truck accident could contribute to higher insurance premiums.
In addition, Indiana is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages and injuries arising from the crash. Suppose a speeding driver caused a rear-end collision with a saloon car and injured the driver and passengers.
In that case, the truck driver may be responsible for paying various damages, including lost income, medical expenses, and out-of-pocket expenses to the injured victims.
The sheer mass of a truck creates dire consequences when involved in a crash.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has listed the following facts about tractor-trailers:
A fully-loaded tractor-trailer may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to a passenger vehicle weighing around 4,100 pounds. Considering the size and weight difference between the two vehicles, a collision is bound to be disastrous.
The FMCSA calculates that while a normal passenger vehicle traveling at 65 miles per hour would take 316 feet to stop, a cargo-loaded tractor-trailer traveling at the same speed would take 525 feet to come to a complete stop.
Given these figures, truck drivers have less control when having to stop quickly. Nonetheless, it is an operator’s responsibility to take the necessary precautions to prevent an accident.
Truck drivers may fail to brake in time and collide with another vehicle for any of the following reasons:
As a truck driver is traveling downhill, they should be downshifting into a lower gear instead of stepping on their brakes. This prevents the braking system from getting burned out. An experienced driver may not realize to what degree they are riding their brakes.
In order to prevent truckers from driving while fatigued, the FMCSA has stipulated the number of hours drivers can be behind the wheel. These regulations are known as the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
The Hours of Service regulations require that truck drivers account for their time, which they record in a logbook. Truck drivers have to designate their time as being spent either “driving,” “on-duty” (carrying out work duties, but not driving), “off-duty,” or in the “sleeper berth.”
Regarding truck drivers that are only carrying cargo (and not passengers), drivers are restricted from driving more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days. However, if a trucker has been off-duty for 10 consecutive hours, they are permitted to be “on-duty” for 14 hours, limiting them to 11 hours of driving time.
There are specific requirements for how long the driver must spend in the “sleeper berth.” Although the mandatory 10 hours off-duty do not need to be consecutive, a trucker must have at least 7 hours uninterruptedly in the sleeper-berth.
The HOS regulations also make a provision for adverse driving conditions. The trucker is given an extra two hours of time when driving in less-than-ideal conditions, extending their 11 hours of driving time to 13 hours, or 14 hours of driving time to 16 hours.
The FMCSA has established these regulations in order to mitigate driver fatigue. Sadly, the time constraints in delivering shipments cause drivers to speed to their destinations in order to beat out the clock.
Statistics indicate that 192.4 per 1,000 occupants are injured when the driver speeds in truck accidents. Regarding passenger vehicles, only 171.3 per 1,000 occupants were injured.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its own 2020 CrashStats Report. The national data showed that 4,965 people were killed in collisions involving large trucks. According to their findings, 4,842 large trucks were part of crashes that caused injuries and fatalities.
The circumstances of an accident determine which party will bear responsibility.
For example, if a truck driver was sleepy behind the wheel or was driving recklessly, a claim could be brought against the truck driver or their employer.
Comparatively, if the accident was a result of faulty brakes, the truck manufacturer or maintenance company would be held liable for the resulting accident.
It is always in your best interest to discuss the details of your accident with a truck and tractor-trailer accident lawyer. A truck and tractor-trailer accident lawyer will conduct an investigation to gather evidence relevant to your case.
The longer you wait to discuss your case with a skilled attorney, the greater the chance of valuable evidence being lost. The truck and tractor-trailer accident lawyers at Blackburn Romey have decades of experience helping accident victims such as yourself.
We know what it takes to negotiate with insurance companies and when it is time to consider litigation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.
