Commercial truck accidents are some of the worse on the roads. These large vehicles can devastate other smaller vehicles easily. It is not uncommon for truck accidents to result in the death of the occupants in the other vehicle.
The main reason why these accidents are so damaging is due to the characteristics of commercial trucks, according to FindLaw.
Use
The first distinguishing feature of a commercial truck is it is a vehicle for use by a business. These trucks carry products or supplies from one point to another. The majority of products you see in stores arrived there by truck.
License
Anyone driving a commercial truck must have a special license. A commercial driver’s license has stricter requirements than a general driver’s license. It also comes with more responsibilities and harsher penalties if a person violates traffic laws.
Size
The main distinguishing characteristic of a commercial truck is the size. These trucks can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. Considering your typical car weighs in at 3,000 pounds, this is a huge difference. These vehicles are much taller and wider than a standard vehicle.
The size of a commercial vehicle makes it more difficult to drive and requires additional skills. It takes longer to stop a big rig. It is more difficult to handle in adverse weather conditions, and the driver has limited sightlines. It is very easy to end up in a truck’s blind spot because they are various and large, which leads to many accidents.
A commercial vehicle poses a danger to other vehicles. When driving near or around them, passenger vehicles drivers should give them space if possible to help avoid accidents.