Home » Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers » Truck Accident Types & Causes » The Dangers of Rear-End Trucking Accidents

The Dangers of Rear-End Trucking Accidents

Semi-trucks are tremendous in size and force. Weighing in at 80,000 pounds, a fully-loaded truck is 40 times heavier than a passenger vehicle.

Sharing the Road with Semi-Trucks

Because of their size, semi-trucks move more slowly, are less maneuverable and take longer to stop or change course when compared to passenger cars and smaller trucks. To make matters worse, semi-trucks often carry hazardous (hazmat) materials which can be flammable, explosive, poisonous or otherwise dangerous. The risk of a truck exploding or catching fire increases exponentially when trucks transport this type of cargo.

Override Rear-End Collisions

An override rear-end crash happens when a large truck rides over the back of a passenger car. During this type of crash, passengers in the backseat are most vulnerable to sustaining serious injury.

Rear-end trucking accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including brain injury, herniated discs, spinal cord injury, broken bones, damage to internal organs and more. Catastrophic injuries like complete spinal cord injury can render the victim quadriplegic while severe brain injuries can dramatically reduce mental functioning.

Being Compensated After a Rear-End Truck Collision

While nothing can erase the damage after a trucking accident, compensation can help ease the financial burden and help pay for:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral costs, in the case of a wrongful death suit

Causes of Rear-End Collisions

Most rear-end trucking accidents can be attributed to truck driver negligence, including:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driving too fast for weather or road conditions
• Aggressive driving
• Cutting off cars when changing lanes
• Tailgating
• Improperly loaded cargo
• Exceeding weight limits
• Defective or poorly maintained brakes

In addition to driver negligence, semi-trucks are unable to slow down quickly because the stopping distance is much longer for large trucks. This can cause an accident when a driver is required to make a sudden stop to avoid a crash.

Who is to Blame for a Rear-End Trucking Accident?

Determining liability after a trucking accident can be complex, as many factors are involved. The vehicle striking from the rear is to blame in most scenarios. However, there may be exceptions if the driver has limited visibility, distance or time to react.

Truckers are expected to follow the rules of the road, maintain a safe following distance and anticipate hazards. A truck driver can be held liable for not allowing enough room, speeding or distracted driving.

A truck driver’s fleet company or transport company may also be held liable for an employee’s accident. However, most large trucking companies will have a team of litigators to build a strong defense and minimize liability in case of an accident.

Contact the Truck Accident Attorneys

Trucking accident cases are usually complex and require fierce legal representation to get victims the compensation they deserve. especially since commercial trucking companies often have experienced teams of lawyers protecting their interests. An experienced trucking accident attorney can ensure that victims receive justice for their injury or loss.

The attorneys at Fried Goldberg are leaders in trucking accident litigation. With over 100 years of combined experience handling trucking cases, the Truck Accident Attorneys have the know-how to get you fair compensation for your loss or injury.

Contact Fried Goldberg today at 877-591-1801 for a free, risk-free consultation. We can help you take the first step towards getting your life back on track.

Get a Free Case Evaluation