Why 18-Wheeler Wrecks Are More Dangerous Than Normal Accidents

In most cases, 18-wheeler wrecks are more likely to cause serious or fatal injuries than accidents involving “normal” vehicles. Why is this the case?

Several factors explain why 18-wheeler wrecks are more dangerous than normal accidents. If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a serious or fatal truck accident, understanding these factors will be important for protecting your legal rights. Filing a claim requires proof of why the accident happened, and this means that you need to consider all possibilities. If you only consider factors that can cause normal vehicle collisions, you may overlook opportunities to recover the financial compensation you deserve. 

7 Factors that Increase the Dangers of 18-Wheeler Accidents

So, what are the factors that make 18-wheeler wrecks more dangerous than normal accidents? Some of the most common factors include: 

1. These Trucks’ Enormous Size and Weight

Most normal cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs weigh somewhere in the range of 4,000 to 6,000 pounds and are anywhere from 15 to 18 feet long. However, a fully-loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and have a total length of 72 feet. 

The enormous size and weight of 18-wheelers makes them more dangerous than normal vehicles in several ways. For example:

• 18-wheelers are more difficult to maneuver than normal vehicles. 
• 18-wheelers are more difficult to stop (and take longer to stop) than normal vehicles. 
• Drivers of 18-wheelers are more likely to lose control. 

These factors increase the risk of a serious or fatal accident significantly. Since these are risks with all 18-wheelers, they are among the most common causes of accident-related injuries and fatalities.  

2. Truck Drivers’ Limited Visibility 

Another factor that plays a role in many 18-wheeler accidents is truck drivers’ limited visibility. While some modern 18-wheelers make use of cameras to help drivers see their surroundings, most 18-wheelers have multiple significant blind spots. While truck drivers are supposed to err on the side of caution, the unfortunate reality is that many 18-wheeler wrecks result from careless mistakes that could—and should—have been avoided.  

3. Cargo-Related Dangers 

Cargo-related dangers are a factor in many 18-wheeler wrecks as well. A truck’s cargo load can cause (or contribute to causing) a serious or fatal accident in several ways, including:

• Cargo can slide or move in transit, and unbalanced cargo loads can increase the risk of a truck driver unexpectedly losing control during an emergency maneuver.  
• Cargo can come loose and fall or spill into the road. 
• Cargo that hasn’t been properly secured can shift during acceleration, turning, or braking, and this can also increase the risk of a truck driver losing control. 

Like all of the other factors discussed in this article, determining whether a cargo-related issue caused (or contributed to causing) an accident requires a comprehensive investigation. This makes it essential to hire an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

4. Increased Risk of Defects and Maintenance Issues 

Since 18-wheelers are larger and more complex than normal vehicles, this also means that there is more that can go wrong. The increased risk of defects and maintenance issues with 18-wheelers contributes to the increased risk of serious and fatal accidents as well. 

5. The Risk of Underride Accidents 

One of the most dangerous types of 18-wheeler wrecks is what is known as an “underride.” This is when a smaller vehicle goes either partially or fully under the rear or side of an 18-wheeler’s trailer. Underride accidents frequently result in catastrophic or fatal injuries, and they are only a possibility with 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks. 

6. The Challenges Involved in Driving an 18-Wheeler Safely

Even when an 18-wheeler is properly manufactured, loaded, and maintained, driving one of these large commercial trucks safely still is not easy. While this is not an excuse for driver negligence, mistakes behind the wheel are common—and these mistakes are among the leading causes of 18-wheeler accidents as well.  

7. Trucking Companies’ Willingness to Prioritize Profits Over Safety 

Another all-too-common factor in 18-wheeler wrecks is trucking companies’ willingness to prioritize profits over safety. From overloading their trucks to forcing their drivers to spend too many hours behind the wheel, trucking companies routinely make decisions that put motorists in harm’s way. These decisions provide clear grounds for victims and their families to seek just compensation—and, once again, the first step toward asserting your legal rights is to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. 

Do You Have an 18-Wheeler Accident Claim in Arkansas? Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today 

If you need to know more about filing a claim after an 18-wheeler accident in Arkansas, we strongly encourage you to get in touch.

Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at 479-202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients throughout Arkansas and across the United States from our office in Rogers, AR.