Semi-trucks need a much longer braking distance due to their size and weight. The exact braking distance depends on their speed, but they can often need over 500ft on the highway. Because semis are so much larger than private vehicles, rear-end accidents between them can prove catastrophic, if not fatal.
Our Indianapolis semi-truck accident lawyers can break down the specific factors that can contribute to a semi’s need to begin braking far sooner than the average passenger car might. We can also outline what steps you and your loved ones can take if a semi-truck driver fails to look out for you.
We want Hoosiers to understand that they have the right to legal action in the wake of an accident caused by a semi-truck driver’s negligence. That’s why we offer case consultations free of charge. Let’s work together to determine why a semi-truck’s longer braking distance led to your accident, then outline your subsequent legal options.
Semi-Trucks Weigh Considerably More Than the Average Passenger Car
While there are several types of semi-trucks on Indiana’s highways today, semi-trucks categorically tend to weigh 80,000 pounds when transporting goods. Comparatively, the average family car weighs no more than 4,300 pounds.
The sheer disparity in weights suggests that someone driving a semi needs considerably more training to safely handle a vehicle of this size. It also highlights why semi-truck braking distances are so long. If a semi-truck hits a private vehicle, the disparity in size could cause the truck to do considerable damage to a smaller car.
That’s why it’s so important for private motorists to understand the danger of interacting with a larger vehicle on the road. Truck drivers cannot stop quickly, as their load’s impact on their speed will not let them. You should never switch lanes directly in front of a truck or follow a truck too closely, as doing so might put you at greater risk for a serious accident.
The Larger the Truck, the More Braking Distance It Needs
According to the Department of Transportation, passenger cars moving at 65 miles per hour need 316 feet of clearance to come to a stop safely. In other words, you need a full football field’s worth of space to go from 65 mph to a complete stop without seriously damaging your car or the road.
Let’s use that same math to calculate how much space a truck needs to come to a complete stop while moving at 65 miles per hour. The Department of Transportation says that the weight of the truck will make it harder for the whole vehicle to stop moving. Generally, an 80,000 truck needs at least 525 feet to come to a complete stop from 65 miles per hour.
In other words, while your private car only needs one football field’s worth of space to stop, a truck requires two. Both truck drivers and private motorists need to account for this disparity if they’re going to safely interact on Indiana interstates.
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Several Factors Can Impact a Truck’s Ideal Braking Distance
There are several other factors besides a truck’s weight that can contribute to a semi-truck’s longer braking distance. These include the following:
- The truck’s speed
- The driver’s awareness and reaction times
- Roadway conditions
- The condition of a truck’s brakes and tires
- Tires’ contact with the road
You cannot control whether or not a truck driver takes care of their vehicle. You can only account for your own behavior on the road. If you leave a reasonable space between your car and a truck, you can prevent dangerous accidents.
However, if you get into an accident with a truck that didn’t slow down in time to avoid hitting your car, consider asking an experienced attorney to help you gather more information about the negligent driver’s condition, not to mention the condition of their truck. The data you find may help you demand accident damages from an insurer or trucking agency.
You Have the Right to Seek Out an Indianapolis Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer After a Collision
If you get into an accident with a truck driver who didn’t give themselves enough room on the road to brake, you may find yourself dealing with seemingly insurmountable damages. Those losses aren’t as insurmountable as they seem, though.
In fact, our Indianapolis truck accident lawyers have helped hundreds of survivors like you hold drivers and agencies accountable for their losses. You can book a free case evaluation with our personal injury accident lawyers in Indianapolis to learn more about your right to:
- Work with a team of investigators to better understand your accident
- Name a specific party responsible for your accident
- Demand compensation based on your losses
- Negotiate for the truck accident settlement you deserve
- Take your fight for financial support to civil court
Get Justice for a Semi-Truck Accident Today
Semi-truck drivers know from the moment they receive their license that they must behave cautiously to keep the people around them on the road as safe as possible. Careful drivers must leave a considerable distance between themselves and their fellow drivers, especially when coming to a stop.
Too many factors make it dangerous for a truck driver to try to stop on short notice. The weight and size of commercial vehicles dramatically increase a semi-truck’s braking distance, and negligence behind the wheel can lead to serious accidents.
Should you find yourself struggling to recover from an accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, consider getting in touch with an Indianapolis truck accident attorney. Our team can break down how a semi’s need for a longer braking distance led to your accident. We can then support you as you fight to hold negligent truck drivers accountable for your losses.
