What Is the Stopping Distance of a Semi-Truck?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a loaded tractor-trailer traveling 55 miles per hour requires 196 feet to come to a complete stop under ideal conditions. Road surfaces, weather, and other factors can increase the stopping distance of a commercial truck.

Why Do Trucks Have Such a Long Stopping Distance?

Commercial trucks need more time and distance to stop because of their massive size and weight.

A fully-loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, about 20 times the weight of a midsize SUV. This weight significantly affects braking, handling, and acceleration. These vehicles need about 200 feet to come to a complete stop when traveling at low highway speeds. Those stopping distances increase under adverse conditions, such as snow or road hazards like potholes.

The brakes on a semi-truck also affect stopping distance. The typical passenger vehicle uses quick hydraulic brakes, while semi-trucks have air brakes. There is a slight lag between when a truck driver presses on the brakes and when the vehicle begins to slow down.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Tailgating is a common cause of truck accidents. Since semi-trucks take longer to stop, truckers must keep a greater distance from the vehicles ahead of them to avoid collisions.

The general rule of thumb is to leave one second for every ten feet of the vehicle’s length. That means a semi-truck driver should leave four seconds between their vehicle and the car ahead. Following too closely doesn’t allow enough space or distance to brake and avoid a collision.

Besides tailgating, other causes of truck accidents include:

• Speeding
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Driving under the influence
• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Disobeying traffic signs and signals
• Changing lanes without checking blind spots
• Taking turns too fast
• Failure to yield the right of way

Tips for Avoiding a Collision with Trucks

You can potentially avoid an accident with a semi-truck by taking certain safety precautions. Keep your distance from any truck you encounter on the road, and exercise extreme caution while driving near commercial trucks.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Never drive in a truck driver’s blind spots.
• If a trucker tailgates you, change lanes to get out of their way.
• Don’t travel directly next to a moving truck when possible.
• Stay far behind a large truck in front of you. If you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, the driver can’t see you.
• Pass trucks quickly to avoid driving alongside them.

Unfortunately, even these steps may not protect you from a careless truck driver. If a negligent truck driver harms you, reach out to an experienced truck accident lawyer who can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Can I Recover Through a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

If someone else injures you due to their negligence, they are legally responsible for the consequences. You can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against them to demand compensation for the harm they caused you, such as your:

• Emergency medical treatment 

• Prescriptions, rehabilitation, hospital stays, and other medical expenses

• Permanent disability or disfigurement

• Lost wages

• Lost earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Mental anguish

• Property damage

Several different parties might be liable for a given truck accident, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The owner of the truck or its cargo
• The mechanics who work on the truck
• The crew that loaded the truck

An experienced truck accident attorney can review your case to determine the parties responsible for your injuries.

What If I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?

Alabama’s strict contributory negligence rule prohibits financial recovery after an accident if you share any percentage of fault for it. You can’t receive compensation in a lawsuit if the jury determines you are partially responsible for your injury.

While contributory negligence applies to courts, it can also affect insurance claims. If the adjuster handling your claim discovers you’re partly at fault for the accident, they can use that information to reduce the value of your case. That means negotiating a full and fair settlement will likely be challenging without the help of an experienced truck accident attorney.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

In Alabama, the statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of a truck accident to file a lawsuit against the liable parties. Once this time limit passes, you could lose your right to compensation.

What Should I Do After an Accident with a Semi-Truck?

Your first step after a truck accident should be to seek medical attention if you are not transported from the scene. A doctor can diagnose your injuries and determine the necessary treatment plan. Follow their instructions. Insurance companies often look at medical records to determine the value of a claim. If they see you skipped appointments or stopped treatment too soon, they might argue your injury isn’t serious and doesn’t require a significant settlement.

Next, consult Gartlan Injury Law. We can review the circumstances to determine if you have a case for compensation. You want to avoid dealing with the responsibility of a claim or lawsuit while treating an injury. Let us take over the details so you can focus on healing.

Maintain records of your case, including copies of every bill, prescription, doctor’s note, medical report, and other documentation you receive. Evidence is valuable in proving the accident contributed to your injury and that someone else is responsible for it.

Although social media might seem like a harmless pastime, using it while your case is pending is dangerous. You should avoid posting to social media until you recover compensation. Insurance carriers and defense attorneys might find something on your social media accounts that contradicts your injury’s severity or indicates your lack of attention to treatment. This can negatively affect the outcome of your case, so avoiding online activity is your best option.

Contact an Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer

At Gartlan Injury Law, we genuinely care about our clients, and we want to do everything in our power to get them the compensation they need. If you sustained injuries in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, call or contact us online for a free consultation.

Visit Our Alabama Truck Accident Law Offices