Five Things to Remember About a Collision with a Semi Truck or Other Large Vehicle

 Posted on July 24, 2014 in Personal Injury

Colliding with a large vehicle, such as a semi truck, can be devastating for the driver and passengers of a smaller vehicle. Keep the following tips in mind when you’re on the road.

Remember the Law of Inertia

A large truck colliding with a smaller vehicle, even at a very slow speed, generates an enormous amount of energy. In other words, a large truck does not need to hit you at a very great speed in order to cause as much damage as a high-speed collision with another smaller vehicle.

I (John Martoccio) once had a case where the driver of a large Cadillac was behind a semi trailer and was rear-ended by another semi trailer. None of the vehicles were traveling at more than 15 to 20 miles an hour and his Cadillac was crushed to less than half of its original size.

Remember When large trucks collide with your car, truck or SUV, even at low speeds, the collisions can result in severe, catastrophic and life-altering injuries, or death.

If you are involved in a collision with a semi truck, commercial vehicle or other large vehicle your best protection is to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our Attorneys at Martoccio & Martoccio are highly skilled personal injury lawyers and have earned millions of dollars in recoveries for our injured clients. Let us be your DuPage County trucking accident lawyers.

Give a Truck Extra Distance

Since collisions with trucks are almost always serious, always assume that you need to put extra space, or more car lengths, between you and the truck if you are driving anywhere near it.

Drivers of Large Vehicles have Large Blind Spots

Drivers of semi trucks, commercial vehicles or other large vehicles cannot necessarily see you as well as you can see them. They have larger blind spots than automobiles. Even the best truck driver has difficulty keeping track of the vehicles around them.

Semi Trucks Need Extra Space to Turn

Many of us forget that trucks cannot turn in the same radius as a car; their turning radius is enormous compared with smaller vehicles. When you see a large vehicle turning, make sure you give them extra space.

Be Aware of Tired or Rushed Drivers

Drivers of semi trucks, commercial vehicles or other large vehicles may be paid depending upon how many deliveries they can make in the shortest possible time. These truck drivers are taught to drive quickly, make up time when necessary and work longer shifts. They may may be tired or inattentive and may not drive as safely as they should. As with drivers of any vehicle, it is your responsibility to drive safely and with caution.

If you were involved in a collision with a semi truck, commercial vehicle, or other large vehicle, you’re entitled to compensation for your injuries, including your pain and suffering, your past and future medical bills the loss of your everyday life, lost wages and other damages that Illinois recognizes.

Let the personal injury attorneys at Martoccio & Martoccio be your Illinois truck accident lawyers. We have the skill, the experience and the compassion to handle your case on a personal basis and to obtain the best possible recovery. Call us now for free personal consultation. We do not charge you unless you collect from those responsible for your loss.