Semi rear end and semi head on crash are two of the most common tractor trailer crashes on the roadways of the country today. These crashes range from mild to severe and can cause serious bodily harm to individuals involved. The NHTSA released statistics detailing how 5,000 people are killed in big rig crashes each year and some 130,000 people are injured in big rig accidents on a yearly basis as well. Rear end and head on collisions involving big rigs and smaller vehicles are caused by a multitude of different things. Collision repair is another costly part of such accidents that can amount to thousands of dollars.
How These Accidents Happen
Big rigs and semis are common sights on the roads of the country, accounting for almost 3 percent of traffic accidents on a yearly basis. Some of the most common causes of these accidents are listed below:
• The driver of a motor vehicle drives in the blind spot of the truck
• The driver of a motor vehicle changes lanes abruptly in front of a truck
• Merging inappropriately in front of a truck
• Unsafe passing
• Driving between large trucks
• Driver error
• Faulty equipment
• Inadequate training on the part of the truck driver
• Driver drowsiness
• Driver fatigue
• Inclement weather
• Animals on the roadway
• Leaving a disabled vehicle on the highway
Governing Laws
Every single operator of a big rig or semi truck must pass a specified training course and obtain a special driver’s license to operate the vehicle. If he or she does not have these qualifications then they are subject to tickets, fines, and license suspensions if caught. Other laws that govern the operation of big rigs and semi trucks include the size, weight, route designations, length, width and weight limitations of the truck. All trucks must pass inspections prior to being allowed on the roadway and must continue to be inspected randomly throughout their use.
Injuries and Compensation
Victims of big rig and semi truck accidents can suffer various injuries including broken bones, concussions, severed limbs, respiratory problems, fractured bones, cuts, abrasions and even death. Victims of these accidents can sue the truck driver and sometimes the trucking company for one or more of the following:
• Loss of wages
• Medical bills
• Hospital bills
• Repair costs
• Legal fees
• Court fees
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
In read end collisions the car is jolted forward, thus the head and neck and thrusted forward, damaging the musculature, tendons and ligaments. In a head on collision, the car is suddenly halted thrusting the head backwards against the headrest, which prevents over extension of the head and neck.
According to S C Highway Patrol, following to closely is the # 1 reason for rear end collisions.
Unsafe passes can result in rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, side-swipe collisions, or collisions with fixed objects such as guardrails or trees. These collisions are often caused by sudden lane changes, improper spacing between vehicles, or misjudgment of oncoming traffic.
traveling to closley
Travelling too closely!
somebody driving into the back of you
rear-end collisions
22350
Most common
Getting run off the roadGetting hit head-on
Expressways tend to have higher speeds and higher traffic volumes, which can result in more severe collisions. The design of expressways, with limited access points and higher speed limits, can also contribute to the severity of collisions by reducing reaction time and increasing impact forces. Additionally, the lack of traffic signals and intersections on expressways means that collisions are more likely to be head-on or rear-end, which can be more dangerous.
If you were sitting in a parked car and had to choose from being hit from the front by a car going 60 mph, or from the rear by a car going 60 mph, you probably should pick the front. Some of the reasons:air bags only activate in front-end crashes (or side/rollover crashes on newer cars), not rear-enders. Seat belts make a lot of difference in a front-end crash ... not much in a rear-end crash.the mass of the engine and transmission helps absorb the force of a head-on collisionsafety standards are more rigorous for front-end collisions, because they are much more common.Yes, it's true that in a severe rear-end collision, the gas tank can rupture, resulting in a major fire, but such accidents are relatively rare. Safety standards also require some protection for the gas tank.The reason why rear SEATS are considered safer, even though cars have less protection at the rear, is because rear-end collisions are much less LIKELY. In more common front-end collisions, the farther away you are from the front of the car, the better -- one of the reasons to put children in the rear seat.