Why are Commercial Trucks So Dangerous?

Although commercial trucks are involved in a fraction of the accidents on Kentucky roads, they can do far more damage than private vehicles. For many reasons, you should be wary and alert when driving near or around a commercial truck. It may be the difference between getting to your destination safely or ending your day in a hospital.

Kentucky Commercial Truck Accidents by the Numbers

More than 80 million tons of cargo are transported on Kentucky roads annually, according to the Kentucky Trucking Association (KTA). As of 2015, the state had 28,000 commercial truck drivers, and more than 10,000 companies operated commercial trucks.

There were 130,042 reported vehicle collisions in Kentucky in 2022, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reports. Fatal injuries occurred in 711 of these accidents, with nonfatal injuries in 19,572 crashes. Commercial trucks were involved in 86 fatal collisions and 1,351 accidents, causing injuries.

Nationally, about 5% of all registered vehicles are commercial trucks, according to the American Trucking Associations. If that’s true for Kentucky, they’re doing more than their fair share of harm, given their involvement in 12% of fatal accidents and almost 7% of crashes causing injuries.

What Makes Commercial Trucks Dangerous?

There are several reasons why commercial trucks are potentially more hazardous than other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

1. Size and Weight

Commercial trucks pose a heightened risk primarily because of their size, weight, and physics. These vehicles may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, about twenty times heavier than the average passenger vehicle. The momentum generated by a commercial truck can make it more difficult for trucks to stop or maneuver swiftly compared to passenger vehicles. This increases the chances of a crash, especially in emergencies.

2. Severe and Fatal Injuries are More Likely

Because the mass of a commercial truck is far greater, the energy it sends into another vehicle is much more than if a passenger vehicle is involved in a crash. That energy is released when the vehicle collapses and bends. It also goes into occupants when they are rapidly pushed and pulled into their seatbelts or the vehicle’s interior, causing injuries.
If you’re going to be struck at a particular angle and the other vehicle travels a given speed, you’re probably better off being hit by another passenger vehicle. It’s like the difference in the injury you’ll get if you drop a one-pound weight onto your foot and drop one weighing twenty pounds.

3. Limited Visibility

Commercial truck drivers usually have limited visibility of what’s around them. Due to their size and design, truck drivers often have blind spots, areas around the vehicle where other vehicles are not easily visible. If a truck driver can’t see a vehicle in a blind spot and changes lanes into it, the truck can sideswipe it unless the other driver gets out of the way.

4. Braking Distance

Due to their weight and size, commercial trucks have much longer braking distances than smaller vehicles. When a truck driver applies the brakes, the time and distance for the vehicle to come to a complete stop is substantially longer than a passenger vehicle. This increases the risk of rear-end collisions.

5. Fatigue and Driver Distraction

Long hours on the road without proper rest are a hazard for anyone behind the wheel. While driving for hours may be unusual for most of us, it can be a daily occurrence for a commercial truck driver.
Fatigue impairs cognitive functions and slows reaction times, increasing the likelihood of accidents. It can also lead to driver distraction as they try to stay alert and engaged. A tired driver may also fall asleep, which can be deadly even when their eyes shut for a few seconds.

6. Cargo Shift and Improper Loading

Improper loading or a cargo shift can lead to a loss of control and potential accidents. The truck may be more difficult to steer and fall on its side. Improperly secured cargo may also fall off a trailer or truck bed and hit vehicles behind it. Other drivers may hit their brakes or try to steer around the cargo, causing collisions with others.

7. Poor Weather Conditions

Due to their weight and size, commercial trucks are particularly vulnerable to bad weather conditions. Roads covered in water, snow, or ice, and strong winds can impact the truck’s stability, making it harder for the driver to control the vehicle. A semi-truck could jackknife, slide between lanes, and take an extra-long distance and time to come to a stop.

Speak To A Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one is killed or injured in a collision with a commercial truck in Kentucky, you may have a right to compensation for the harm you suffered. Satterley & Kelley PLLC can and will help you confidently handle legal matters, including insurance claims and litigation.
Get the help you deserve from our attorneys. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling our Louisville office at 855-385-9532 or completing our contact form today.