Accidents involving semi-trucks are extremely dangerous. Due to the sheer size of semi-trucks, even minor accidents can be fatal for any person in a passenger vehicle. There are several different types of commercial trucks. Commercial trucks are defined as any type of vehicle that’s driven on the highway and used to transport goods or people. If you want to minimize the risk of becoming involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it’s good to always drive safely around them. It’s also good to be aware of the different types of commercial trucks and the specific risks inherent to each type.
Semi-Trucks
Semi-trucks might be the most common type of commercial truck that you’ll see on the road. Also known as tractor-trailers or 18 wheelers, semi-trucks are articulated vehicles, which means they are made up of two (or more) parts that are connected using a coupling. Semi-trucks can be dangerous in several ways. When fully loaded, semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Occasionally, these trucks are overloaded or improperly loaded which means they present an extreme danger to any vehicle they are involved in a collision with. The enormous size and heavy weight of semi-trucks make even the most minor accidents potentially fatal. The risk of accidents is increased because many semi-trucks have poor visibility and multiple blind spots. Sometimes, when a semi-trucks coupling fails, they can jackknife or even become completely separated.
Tanker Trucks
Similar to semi-trucks, tanker trucks are articulated vehicles made up of multiple parts. Instead of a trailer, tanker trucks have large cylindrical tanks that can be filled with liquid or gas. What makes tanker trucks extremely dangerous, in addition to their large size, is that they are typically hauling hazardous, toxic, or flammable chemicals. When they are improperly maintained or loaded, the risk of disaster is extremely high. If a tanker truck is loaded with a liquid, the movement of that liquid can cause the truck to move around. The possibility of jackknifing is also present with tanker trucks. When passenger vehicles are involved in accidents with tanker trucks, the risk of being exposed to toxins, flames, or even explosions is high. For these reasons, tanker trucks are among the most dangerous commercial trucks on the road.
Other Trucks
In addition to semi-trucks and tanker trucks, there are a number of other large sized commercial trucks to be aware of. Dump trucks, for example, are very large and can be extremely heavy depending on what they are hauling. Often, dump trucks will carry sand, gravel, dirt, or other materials. If not properly covered, these materials can spill out onto the highway and cause tragic accidents for other vehicles. These trucks are not articulated but it’s still important to drive carefully around them because they have very large blind spots.
Delivery trucks are another type of commercial truck to be aware of on the road. Usually not as large as the other types of commercial trucks mentioned here, they can still pose a significant danger to other vehicles on the road. Delivery trucks come in many different sizes and are not articulated. What makes delivery trucks dangerous is that they are more likely to be found in cities and residential areas, as opposed to the highways that other trucks travel on. For this reason, delivery trucks pose a greater threat to pedestrians, cyclists, and passenger vehicles.
Contact an Experienced Attorney
No matter the type, an accident with a commercial truck is extremely dangerous. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced semi-truck accident attorney from Nelson MacNeil Rayfield right away. With over 70 collective years of legal and trial experience, we’re well-suited to answer any questions you may have during the course of a free consultation.