Blind Spots, Weight, and Physics: 5 Reasons Why 18-Wheelers Are So Dangerous in Collisions
Modern commercial trucks, which are commonly referred to as 18-wheelers or semi-trucks, play a crucial role in moving goods over long distances across the United States every day.
However, there’s at least one downside of commercial trucks traveling on the roadways and highways — they’re extremely dangerous in on-the-road collisions. That is why understanding the causes of these accidents is important to everyone who operates or travels in a vehicle.
According to the National Safety Council, 5,472 people were killed in large-truck crashes in the country in 2023. While fatal collisions dipped 8% in 2023 versus 2022, 70% of these fatalities were occupants of other vehicles, while 18% were truck occupants. The other 12% included non-occupants, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
What follows are some of the reasons for the high fatality rate in accidents involving 18-wheelers.
- Higher Weights Lead to More Forceful Impacts
One of the first things to consider is the weight of commercial trucks. An average commercial truck can reach a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds (about 36,000 kg). The weight of an ordinary vehicle is significantly lower (about 3,000 to 4,000 pounds).
What is the reason for concern here? Physics shows that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration. So, when it comes to colliding vehicles, trucks are a source of considerable power.
If there’s an accident involving a commercial truck and one or more smaller vehicles, the resulting damage will mostly impact the smaller vehicles.
Anyone injured in an accident involving a commercial truck should contact a truck accident lawyer. The potential harm is higher when a collision involves a vehicle weighing tens of thousands of pounds, which is one reason to retain the services of a legal professional.
- Large Stopping Distance
Another threat that can easily lead to collisions is the stopping distance. Since they’re so heavy, large commercial trucks can’t stop quickly, even at relatively low speeds.
Specifically, at highway speeds, a typical passenger car can stop within 30 to 50 meters. At the same time, stopping a loaded truck can take 100 to 200 meters. There’s no denying that other motorists must respect this increased stopping distance requirement and move from lane to lane carefully so as not to contribute to accidents.
There are some factors that can significantly extend the stopping distance, such as the following:
- Weather conditions (rain, ice, etc.)
- Going down the hill
- Overheated or worn-out brakes
- Excessive truck load
It’s quite obvious that despite an immediate reaction from the driver, the truck can’t always come to a stop in time. That is why rear-end collisions are not uncommon when commercial trucks are involved — especially when other motorists hastily swerve into the lane ahead of them.
- Truck Drivers Can’t See Other Vehicles in Blind Spots
While passenger vehicles have blind spots, semi-trucks have many more. Specifically, truck drivers may not see another vehicle:
- Too close to the truck (directly in front)
- Behind the trailer (the distance is extended)
- Along the left or right side (particularly along the right)
Therefore, these spots become particularly dangerous during:
- Lane changing
- Merging onto highways
- Passing maneuvers
Thus, many accidents occur precisely because the truck driver did not notice the other vehicle.
- High Centers of Gravity and Jackknife Risk
Semi-trucks are long and articulated vehicles. That means the cab and trailer are connected by a pivot point. It’s a design that allows them to turn, but it also introduces instability.
Specifically, in a jackknifing situation, the trailer moves at an angle and forms the shape of the letter V. Typically, this condition is caused by:
- Braking in an abrupt manner
- Slippery road surfaces
- Changing lanes abruptly
The jackknifed situation blocks multiple lanes, creating the risk of a multi-vehicle accident.
Another risk associated with vehicles with high centers of gravity is rollover. If the truck operator drives too fast or the cargo is unevenly distributed, the risk of a rollover increases.
- Momentum and Potential Chain-Reaction Accidents
Yet another factor to discuss is the possibility of chain reactions triggered by the considerable momentum of large trucks.
Since trucks carry enormous momentum, a single impact can push multiple vehicles forward or sideways. On busy highways, this can quickly escalate into:
- Several vehicles colliding into one another
- Lane blockages complicating the work of emergency responders
Moreover, chain reactions are particularly frequent during fog, rain, and traffic jams when visibility is extremely low.
Even though truck drivers are well-trained professionals who mostly obey traffic regulations, the physical realities of large commercial vehicles are not always within their control.
To stay safe on the road, people should do their part to keep the roads and highways safe. That means avoiding blind spots, maintaining a safe distance when driving behind a truck, and being mindful when a truck is turning.
When truck drivers and other motorists are equally invested in avoiding vehicular carnage, the roads and highways will undoubtedly be safer.
