An accident involving a fully loaded North Carolina tractor-trailer and a smaller passenger vehicle can lead to catastrophic injuries. A rear-end truck accident often occurs when a larger truck collides with the back of a smaller vehicle. In such incidents, the substantial mass and speed of the truck result in a significant impact on the smaller vehicle. This force can lead to severe damage to the smaller vehicle and potentially serious injuries to its occupants. Factors such as the truck’s weight, braking distance, and the collision’s speed all contribute to the accident’s severity. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for assessing the risks and implications of rear-end tractor-trailer collisions.
Safe Following Distance
Like any vehicle, large trucks need space between them and other vehicles. However, large trucks need extra space for safe braking and reaction to unforeseen circumstances. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) defines following too closely as “situations in which one vehicle is following another vehicle so closely that even if the following driver is attentive to the actions of the vehicle ahead, he/she could not avoid a collision in the circumstance when the driver in front brakes suddenly.”
Proper following distance allows the driver more time to make good decisions and to make evasive maneuvers if need be. The DOT advises drivers to leave one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length when driving below 40 mph to avoid these crashes. For speeds above 40 mph, leave an additional second per 10 feet.
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study reported that 5 percent of truck crashes occurred when the Commercial Motor Vehicle driver followed the lead vehicle too closely. Unlike in a collision between two passenger vehicles, a tractor-trailer slamming into a smaller vehicle is frequently catastrophic. The average stopping distance for a loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 55mph in normal conditions is 196 feet- 63 feet longer than a passenger vehicle. Add adverse conditions into this scenario, and the need for an adequate stopping distance doubles. Especially in inclement weather, a safe following distance can be the difference between life and death.
Following Distance in Adverse Conditions
Tractor-trailer drivers must be able to adjust their following distance to match weather/road conditions, visibility, and traffic. In adverse conditions, drivers should double their following distance. In addition to decreased visibility, wet and icy road surfaces can affect braking distance.
Representation for North Carolina Truck Accidents
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer rear-end collision, you need a skilled attorney at your side to fight relentlessly to recover damages. Experienced professional truckers should know that they need more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle driver. In most instances, a truck driver who rear-ends another car is liable.
For a legal team you can trust, contact the experienced attorneys at Maginnis Howard. Our results speak for themselves, and our clients are our priority. We represent clients across the Carolinas on a contingency basis. That means you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you. We have three conveniently located offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Fayetteville.
