What Makes a Large Truck Different from a Car or SUV? A Rockford Truck Crash Attorney Explains

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a large truck as a vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds. According to statistics published by the NHTSA, 287,000 large trucks were involved in accidents in 2011, killing 3,757 people and injuring 88,000 more. A Rockford truck crash can be extremely dangerous, causing severe head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, limb amputations, severe burns, and even death. One key to preventing a truck accident in Rockford is to understand the ways in which large trucks differ from passenger vehicles.

• Trucks are much larger and heavier than a car or SUV. The force that a large truck exerts when it crashes into a car or other smaller vehicle can be immense—even at low speeds. At high speeds, this force can be deadly.
• Trucks have four large blind spots—places around the truck that the driver cannot see. There is one in the front of the cab, one on either side of the truck, and one in the rear. If your car is traveling in a truck’s blind spot, you are invisible as far as the driver is concerned.
• Trucks have a wide turning radius. When a truck makes a right turn, the back wheels follow a shorter distance than the front. If your car is between the back wheels and the curb when a truck is turning right, you could be hit.
• Trucks cannot stop quickly. A 5000-pound car traveling at 55 miles per hour takes about 140 feet to stop. In comparison, an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer traveling at the same speed takes more than 300 feet to stop. If you cut a truck off, the driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting your vehicle.

If you have been in a serious truck crash in Rockford that was not your fault, you are undoubtedly suffering physically, emotionally, and financially. You need a strong advocate to protect your legal rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost time at work, and pain and suffering. Lean on an experienced Rockford truck accident injury attorney at The Fisk & Monteleone Law Firm. Our Rockford truck crash lawyers will meet with you to discuss your case, answer your questions, and advise you on your next steps—all during a free case consultation. Contact us today at 815-962–0044 to schedule your obligation-free consultation—you will be glad you did.