One may sustain severe injuries from any accident. But truck accidents can be more dangerous than accidents involving regular passenger vehicles.
Size
The size of vehicles involved in an accident can determine its severity. Trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles. When a truck crashes into a smaller vehicle, more force is put on the latter, pushing it backward.
The front end of a truck is typically longer than a smaller vehicle’s. This means it can absorb the impact of a crash, reducing the force experienced by the driver and passengers.
This length difference puts occupants of smaller vehicles at high risk when involved in a frontal collision with a truck.
Height
The height difference between trucks and smaller vehicles is another factor that makes truck accidents potentially more dangerous. During a head-on collision, the chances of a smaller vehicle sliding under a truck can be high. The vehicle can be crushed underneath the truck. For this reason, underride accidents are significantly dangerous and, in many cases, fatal.
Weight
Trucks are generally heavier than smaller cars. Accordingly, they take longer to come to a stop; when a truck hits a small vehicle, it may continue to move forward before stopping. This puts more force on the smaller car.
Hazardous cargo
Trucking companies ship different types of cargo, including hazardous materials. While most trucking companies ensure their cargo is properly secured and loaded, some don’t. And, at times, a collision’s force can impact even a perfectly secured cargo.
If a smaller vehicle is involved in an accident with a truck carrying heavy, flammable, oxidizing, explosive or radioactive materials, the driver and passengers may sustain severe injuries.
If you are involved in a truck accident, you can easily suffer serious injuries. You should get legal help to understand your options.