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| Semi-Truck / Commercial Vehicle Traffic Accident Reconstruction Expert |
Providing Quality Accident Reconstruction and Investigation
| One-third of all crashes between large trucks and cars take place in blind spots around a truck. - Road Safe America |
Semi-truck accidents are particularly dangerous because they often involve collisions between vehicles
of such great disparity. Commercial vehicles can routinely weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the
average passenger car only weighs about 4,000 pounds. As can be expected, a collision between
these two types of vehicles can be disastrous for the smaller vehicle, even at relatively low speeds.
Commercial vehicles can be equipped with a wide variety of braking systems, from S-cam air brakes,
which utilize air pressure, to anti-lock brake system (ABS) equipped tractors and electronically
controlled braking system (EBS) equipped trailers. Each configuration produces distinctly different drag
factors, or braking efficiencies.
Since semi-trucks are unique motor vehicles, they require equally distinctive accident reconstruction
techniques.
Accidents between commercial vehicles and passenger cars are often a result of dangerous driving on
the part of the car driver. Drivers will often change lanes abruptly or turn in front of a semi-truck,
expecting the commercial vehicle to yield.
Semi-trucks, however, do not possess the same level of maneuverability as passenger cars. They
generally accelerate, steer, and brake at a slower rate than cars, making it sometimes difficult to avoid
collisions with other aggressive drivers.
This does not mean that commercial vehicle drivers are always exempt of fault for a collision.
Semi-truck drivers can also be negligent when driving.
Validation testing by accident reconstructionists has shown that commercial vehicles cannot stop as well
as passenger cars. Therefore, even a minor speed infraction on the part of the semi-truck can have
grave results.
Still other semi-drivers fail to follow proper lookout when approaching intersections or merge without
checking their blind spots, also called No-Zones, where the commercial truck driver has limited or zero
visibility.
Regardless of the specific collision, Crash Data Services, LLC has accident reconstruction experts
available to identify the causes of semi-truck accidents.
of such great disparity. Commercial vehicles can routinely weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the
average passenger car only weighs about 4,000 pounds. As can be expected, a collision between
these two types of vehicles can be disastrous for the smaller vehicle, even at relatively low speeds.
Commercial vehicles can be equipped with a wide variety of braking systems, from S-cam air brakes,
which utilize air pressure, to anti-lock brake system (ABS) equipped tractors and electronically
controlled braking system (EBS) equipped trailers. Each configuration produces distinctly different drag
factors, or braking efficiencies.
Since semi-trucks are unique motor vehicles, they require equally distinctive accident reconstruction
techniques.
Accidents between commercial vehicles and passenger cars are often a result of dangerous driving on
the part of the car driver. Drivers will often change lanes abruptly or turn in front of a semi-truck,
expecting the commercial vehicle to yield.
Semi-trucks, however, do not possess the same level of maneuverability as passenger cars. They
generally accelerate, steer, and brake at a slower rate than cars, making it sometimes difficult to avoid
collisions with other aggressive drivers.
This does not mean that commercial vehicle drivers are always exempt of fault for a collision.
Semi-truck drivers can also be negligent when driving.
Validation testing by accident reconstructionists has shown that commercial vehicles cannot stop as well
as passenger cars. Therefore, even a minor speed infraction on the part of the semi-truck can have
grave results.
Still other semi-drivers fail to follow proper lookout when approaching intersections or merge without
checking their blind spots, also called No-Zones, where the commercial truck driver has limited or zero
visibility.
Regardless of the specific collision, Crash Data Services, LLC has accident reconstruction experts
available to identify the causes of semi-truck accidents.
On occasion, intentional disablement or failure of a portion of a commercial vehicle's brakes can
occur. In those cases, when a semi-truck driver attempts a panic stop, the commercial vehicle may
not react as anticipated. The above illustration depicts a panic stop without front brakes on the
semi-truck. The vehicle begins to spin out or yaw as the rear brakes try to slow the vehicle. Our
accident reconstructionists are experienced with commercial vehicle behavior and reactionary
assessment.
occur. In those cases, when a semi-truck driver attempts a panic stop, the commercial vehicle may
not react as anticipated. The above illustration depicts a panic stop without front brakes on the
semi-truck. The vehicle begins to spin out or yaw as the rear brakes try to slow the vehicle. Our
accident reconstructionists are experienced with commercial vehicle behavior and reactionary
assessment.
The reconstruction of traffic accidents
between commercial vehicles and
passenger cars often involves the
assessment of blind spots or
No-Zones.
In the above illustration, the blue car
has entered one of the semi-truck's
no-zones, making it difficult for the
commercial vehicle driver to see the
blue car.
between commercial vehicles and
passenger cars often involves the
assessment of blind spots or
No-Zones.
In the above illustration, the blue car
has entered one of the semi-truck's
no-zones, making it difficult for the
commercial vehicle driver to see the
blue car.
Many states, including
Illinois, have special size
and weigh restrictions for
commercial vehicles.
To learn more about
Illinois' semi-truck
restrictions, click here
Illinois, have special size
and weigh restrictions for
commercial vehicles.
To learn more about
Illinois' semi-truck
restrictions, click here
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Disclaimer: Crash Data Services, LLC and crashdataservices.net provide the information in this web site for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to
be legal advice or an expert opinion and should not be construed as such. The use of this site does not create a contractor/client relationship with any employee of Crash
Data Services, LLC. Each investigation is different. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. The results of any investigation/reconstruction do not
guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by Crash Data Services, LLC
be legal advice or an expert opinion and should not be construed as such. The use of this site does not create a contractor/client relationship with any employee of Crash
Data Services, LLC. Each investigation is different. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. The results of any investigation/reconstruction do not
guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by Crash Data Services, LLC