November 8, 2022 | Accidents

Semi-trailers are used to transport large volumes of goods throughout the country. Semi-truck drivers receive special training and adhere to higher standards to ensure the safe operation of these vehicles. However, accidents involving semi-trailers still do occur. When they occur they often have devastating effects.

Accidents involving semi-trailers cannot be handled in the same way that other motor vehicle accidents are handled. These cases are often more complex for various reasons. Below, we discuss why semi-trailer accidents are different from other types of accidents.

What Makes Semi-Trailers So Dangerous

Before getting into the details about the differences between semi-trailer accidents and other road accidents, it is important to understand the characteristics of semi-trailers that make them so dangerous.

• Size

Semi-trailers are much larger than other vehicles on the road. These vehicles consist of a cab (also known as the tractor) and a trailer. The average semi-trailer is about 80 feet long from the cab to the end of the trailer.

• Height

Semi-trailers are also about double the height of a normal passenger vehicle. Some are even three times the height of small passenger vehicles. This means that their center of gravity is much higher making them harder to control.

• Weight

Semi-trailers are much heavier than passenger vehicles. The average empty semi-trailer weighs about 30,000 pounds. They can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. This is compared to the weight of the average passenger vehicle at about 3000 pounds.

• Large blind spots

Because of their size and length, semi-trailers have large blind spots. Other motor vehicles that are much smaller aren’t likely to be noticed when in these bling spots.

What Makes Semi-Trailer Accidents Different from Other Car Accidents

There are four main differences between semi-trailer accidents and other car accidents.

1. The magnitude of damage

Property damage resulting from a semi-trailer accident is often much more than when two passenger vehicles collide. This is because of the size and weight of the semi-trailer. The forces involved in the accident are higher and the impact and resulting damage will be much greater. The costs involved in compensating the damage are therefore much greater.

2. The severity of the injuries

In many cases, accidents involving semi-trailer accidents often result in severe injuries. Sometimes these accidents result in the death of the victims. Many of the injuries resulting from these accidents are serious enough to be categorized as catastrophic injuries. These injuries are life altering and often require extensive medical treatment and care. This will have a significant impact on the economic status of the injured victim and their loved ones. In addition, the victim may not be able to return to work and earn a living. This will also impact their finances significantly.

Because of the severity of the injuries resulting from semi-trailer accidents, compensation for these accidents is often very high. This can result in significant losses for insurance companies. Insurance companies are therefore often resistant to paying full compensation to accident victims.

An experienced attorney will ensure that all factors including past medical expenses, future medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages are considered in recovering compensation. They will fight to ensure you recover just compensation for your injuries.

3. State and federal regulations

Unlike drivers and owners of passenger vehicles, drivers and operators of semi-trailers are subjected to additional rules and regulations at federal and state level. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules are amongst these additional set of rules and regulations. These additional laws and regulations set limits on the number of hours that semi-trailer drivers can operate a vehicle, the requirements for drivers to operate semi-trailers, tractor maintenance, cargo loading, driver training, log keeping, background screening of drivers and much more.

All these laws and regulations must be considered when seeking to recover compensation for a semi-trailer accident. Working with an experienced attorney in Nebraska can help to increase your chances of recovering full compensation. They will ensure that all these laws and regulations are taken into account in determining liability.

4. Multiple liable parties

Another complication that arises in recovering compensation for damages and injuries suffered in a semi-trailer accident is the possibility of holding multiple parties liable for the accident. There are several parties that can be held liable in a semi-trailer accident including the driver, the cargo company, the vehicle maintenance contractor, the client and even the manufacturer of the semi-trailer or semi-trailer parts.

Holding multiple parties liable can be complex. It means communicating with various insurance companies and at-fault parties to recover compensation. It helps to have an experienced attorney representing you and communicating with these insurance providers on your behalf.

Have you been injured in a semi-trailer accident? These cases can be quite complicated. Be sure to contact an experienced accident attorney and get the representation and guidance you need to recover full compensation.

Semi-trailer Accident Nebraska