Why is a traffic accident involving a truck different from an accident involving just a car?
Obviously, the biggest difference is the size and weight of the vehicles, which typically is the biggest factor resulting in a more catastrophic accident than if the accident just involved cars. A large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, compared to the average passenger automobile that only weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Due to this size disparity, and the basic laws of physics, any collision between a commercial truck and another vehicle is likely to result in serious, even fatal, injuries. Furthermore, because of their large bodies, many trucks are not as maneuverable as cars. For example, a tanker truck that is carrying liquid may be swayed by the sloshing of the liquid it carries causing it to slide or jack-knife. The distance it takes a truck to slow down or stop is also much longer than a car because the brakes systems of trucks and cars are completely different.
Related Questions
- Why is a traffic accident involving a commercial truck more likely to cause injury than one involving a passenger car?
- Why is a traffic accident involving a truck more likely to cause serious injury than one involving only automobiles?
- Why is a traffic accident involving a truck different from an accident involving just a car?
