Grapevine Improper Passing Accident Lawyer
It’s a driver’s worst nightmare. You’re driving in traffic and a large truck seems to come out of nowhere, crashing into your lane because the trucker passed improperly. Sadly, improper passing accidents involving trucks are common in Grapevine, TX, and other cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
Many factors contribute to improper passing accidents. Often, these truck accidents involve multiple drivers. Fatigue, driving under the influence, and reduced visibility also cause improper passing accidents. They can occur on small city streets or multi-lane highways.
Improper passing accidents involving trucks can have dire consequences. Your car may be damaged beyond repair. You may also suffer severe injuries. In the worst scenarios, these accidents are fatal.
If you or someone you love has been in an improper passing accident involving a truck, call (469) 998-4069 to speak to a Grapevine truck accident lawyer. Our legal team can assist you. We will help you understand your rights as an accident victim. If you are owed compensation, we can also help you file a claim. Best of all, our consultations are completely free. If we don’t win your case, you won’t pay for our services.
Improper Passing Accident Dangers
An improper passing accident is always dangerous. When trucks are involved, the risk for injuries and fatalities increases exponentially. According to the National Safety Council, large trucks such as semis and tractor-trailers were involved in 4,862 deadly crashes in 2018. An additional 112,000 large trucks contributed to severe injury crashes.
What makes a large truck so dangerous in an improper passing accident? There are several factors that increase the severity of these accidents. First, the truck’s size plays a role. A large commercial truck such as an 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when carrying a full cargo. On average, these vehicles are 48-72 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 13.5 feet tall.
Due to this size, large trucks can inflict serious damage in an accident. To calculate impact force in a truck collision, multiply the truck’s weight by its speed. For example, a truck that weighs 80,000 pounds traveling at 50 mph will inflict an impact force of 4,000,000 Newtons.
Now let’s compare this impact force to a similar accident involving a small sedan. The average sedan weighs approximately 3,500 pounds. In a collision at 50 mph, the sedan’s impact force will be 175,000 Newtons. That’s only 22% as damaging as the large truck collision described above.
The truck’s size also affects its ability to stop and maneuver safely. If there’s a hazard in the road or another vehicle driving recklessly, a truck driver may not be able to steer around it. Large trucks also use a unique braking system. As a result, they require a long stopping distance — often the length of two football fields.
Finally, improper passing accidents involving large trucks can happen due to the truck driver’s blind spots. Compared to a normal car, trucks have significantly reduced visibility. A truck driver cannot see 30 feet behind their vehicle, 20 feet in front, one lane to the driver’s left, and two lanes to the driver’s right.
Unfortunately, many improper passing accidents occur when another car lingers in these blind spots. The truck driver may merge into them and send the car into a skid, colliding with other vehicles. In other accidents, the truck driver may course-correct before crashing into the car in their blind spot, but lose control of their truck in the process. They may jackknife or rollover.
How to Avoid Improper Passing Accidents Involving Trucks
Improper passing accidents involving trucks can result in serious injuries, including:
- Head, neck, and spinal cord injury
- Cuts, bruises, and broken bones
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Psychological injuries like PTSD
If you’re injured in an improper passing accident involving a truck, you may need surgery, physical therapy, or long-term medical care. Some accident victims are permanently paralyzed and unable to work or lead normal lives.
That’s why it’s vital to do your part to avoid these collisions. Follow safe passing procedures to reduce your accident risk. A little extra precaution can go a long way towards protecting you and your passengers from a truck accident.
When you’re driving near a large truck, be aware of the vehicle’s blind spots. Remember, if you can’t see the driver, the drive probably can’t see you. Use designated passing lanes whenever they are available. If there are no designated lanes, always pass on the left.
When passing, keep left until you can see the truck’s headlights in your rearview mirror. Once you see their headlights, you have enough distance to safely return to your original lane. Always check your blind spots, too.
Does your car have special safety sensors for passing? Today, many new vehicles are equipped with warning systems to alert drivers when it isn’t safe to pass. If your car has this feature, make sure it’s enabled whenever you drive.
By taking extra safety precautions, you can also help eliminate your liability risk in an accident. As long as you follow the rules of the road and drive safely, it won’t be your fault if you’re in an improper passing collision.
Improper Passing Accident Liability
In an improper passing accident involving a truck, liability usually falls to the vehicle who caused the collision. Did you hit the truck because you misjudged the passing distance, or did the truck driver swerve into your lane and hit your vehicle?
In some cases, there may be a third vehicle involved. Hazardous road conditions can also contribute to improper passing accidents. For example, the truck driver may collide with your vehicle if they are forced to change lanes suddenly to avoid a dangerous object in the road.
Liability can be a complicated process. A Grapevine, TX accident lawyer can help clarify the situation. Call (469) 998-4069 today or schedule an appointment online for a 100% free consultation. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you figure out your next steps.
