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Personal Injury / March 21, 2018

Accidents with Big Rigs

Every accident has the potential to be perilous, but none more so than accidents involving big rigs. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles put drivers of these rigs, not to mention drivers of other vehicles, at a serious disadvantage in the event of a collision. For motorists who share the highway with semi-trailers, the difference in ground clearance makes under-riding a big concern when accidents occur.

Alarming Statistics

Semi-trailers and other large trucks possess the power and size that makes them both valuable and dangerous:

  • Trucking accidents are a daily event in this country, with 10-11 incidents occurring somewhere in the United States every single day;
  • Each year, trucking accidents result in about 4,000 fatalities across the country;
  • Well over 100,000 injuries are recorded annually due to accidents involving big rigs.

Serious Accidents in Mississippi

Accidents involving big rigs here in the state are all too common, often with tragic results:

  • When the driver on an 18-wheeler failed to yield the right of way, an SUV plowed into it, resulting in the death of that driver;
  • The driver of a logging truck was hospitalized after a trailer pulled out in front of his vehicle, causing it to overturn.
  • After a Honda pulled in front of a log truck, the truck crashed into the side of the car, killing the driver.

Explanations for Trucking Accidents

Just as with other types of accidents, collisions involving big rigs are the result of any number of key contributing factors:

  • Drivers who are sleep deprived: oftentimes drivers are on the road for lengthy periods of time with minimal breaks, leading to exhaustion. In fact, nearly 90 percent of truck accidents are related to driver fatigue.
  • Screening inadequacies in the trucking industry: when drivers with previous problems take the wheel, it can be dangerous for everyone on the road.
  • Violations related to safety inspections: when maintenance issues are allowed to slide, it puts safety at risk;
  • The size of the vehicles: those with six axles are associated with significantly more collisions than those with five or fewer axles;
  • Blowouts: when a tire explodes on a big rig, the results can be serious;
  • Load shifting: when the load shifts and there is an imbalance, it can be dangerous to drivers;
  • The ability to brake: it takes much longer for these monstrous vehicles to slow down than passenger vehicles. When passenger vehicles or other obstacles appear suddenly, it may be literally impossible to prevent a collision.

Following an Accident

If you or a loved one has faced serious injuries or death as a result of a collision involving a big rig, the truck accident attorneys at the office of Derek L. Hall, PC, The Heavy Hitter, can help. Our experienced and aggressive legal team will fight tirelessly to ensure the best possible results for you. Contact us in Jackson for a free, confidential consultation.

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