Every 16 minutes in the U.S., a person is injured or killed in an auto accident involving a large commercial truck – also known as tractor-trailers, big-rigs, 18-wheelers or semi-trucks. On average, a fully loaded truck weighs approximately 80,000 pounds, whereas a typical car weighs only about 3,000 pounds. Trucks are much larger and heavier than the cars surrounding them on the road. Because of their size, most collisions involving tractor-trailers result in severe injuries or fatalities. In fact, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in crashes between large commercial trucks and other vehicles, 98 percent of the fatalities occur to the people in the smaller passenger vehicles.

We drive past these big-rigs every day on our way to work or while we are out running errands, and most of the time we do not think too much about them. However, the statistics involving these big-rig trucks are staggering. From 1992 to 2002, the number of commercial trucks involving fatal crashes increased by 10 percent. There are numerous factors as to why these crashes continue to happen including driver negligence, speeding, fatigue, aggressive driving, intoxication or malfunctioning equipment such as brakes and tires.

Truck drivers often have thousands of miles of road still ahead of them. They are held to tight deadlines – the faster products get to and from each location, the more potential revenue for the trucking companies. Drivers pull long shifts that create fatigue, which can lead to a lack of attention and negligence. This is such a problem that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board attributes fatigue as a probable factor in 20-40 percent of all tractor-trailer crashes. In addition to fatigue, semi-trucks have what are called “no-zones,” which are large blind spots in the rear, side and front of the truck. Big-rig trucks also need a longer stopping distance to be safe and more room to make wide turns. Although many times accidents happen too fast to avoid, you can do your best to protect yourself by staying on high alert and using your best defensive driving skills while operating your vehicle near semi-trucks.

When accidents involving tractor-trailers occur, the companies are quick to send representatives to the scene in an attempt to mitigate responsibility. This is when victims are most vulnerable. This is why it is crucial to contact an experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyer immediately. By working with experienced trial lawyers such as the attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, you will be able to get the compensation you deserve. It is important to gather evidence, witness information and have a lawyer on your side to protect your rights.