The speed and size of the vehicles involved in a crash tend to have a direct relationship to the severity of the resulting collision. The higher the speed of the vehicles involved and the bigger the difference in their size or weight, the greater the potential for major property damage and catastrophic personal injuries.
Situations that involve a passenger vehicle colliding with a semi-truck can result in some of the worst possible outcomes of any crashes likely to occur on public roads. Motorists, therefore, have an interest in trying to avoid such collisions whenever possible. Those who understand the factors that most often cause such crashes will be in a better position to avoid them.
Unnecessary proximity to large trucks
One of the most common contributing factors to collisions between passenger vehicles and commercial trucks is the choice of someone driving a smaller vehicle travel quite near to the 18-wheeler. Those who drive in blind zones around semi-trucks and those who get too close to them or their angle of approach at an intersection are at elevated risk of getting hit. Allowing for more space in traffic and checking carefully for big trucks when approaching an intersection can help.
Mistakes made by commercial drivers
When looking at an analysis of the top reasons that commercial drivers cause crashes, mistakes regarding how a professional operates a vehicle or a failure to properly monitor their surroundings are often key contributing factors. Occasionally, it may be a health issue that prevents someone from responding to traffic conditions that will be the factor that ultimately causes a commercial wreck.
Vehicle maintenance issues
As many as one in 10 of the crashes caused by big trucks are the direct result of some kind of problem with the semi-truck itself. Bad brakes, tire blowouts and other issues with the vehicle may prevent a commercial driver from maneuvering appropriately and avoiding a crash.
Drivers who understand the factors that increase their risk of a crash will have an easier time making safety-conscious choices in traffic. Learning more about what contributes to many semi-truck collisions can help to protect people from some of the worst crashes that occur.