Big Trucks, Bad Brakes

It doesn’t take a Missouri truck accident lawyer to know that semi-trucks take longer to stop than passenger cars. Accident reconstruction textbooks even include formulas for calculating the stopping distance of a big rig and all of the leading software used by accident reconstruction experts does the same thing.

 

Accidents with Bad Brakes

Given the length and distance to stop the big rig with good brakes it makes the condition of the brakes on the tractor and trailer significantly important to avoid some accidents. If the brakes are not adequately and properly maintained, or out of adjustment, the consequences can be devastating if the semi truck must be stopped quickly.

There are many truck accidents across the state of Missouri where the condition of the semi-truck brakes are not an issue because the stopping distance was not important in determining whether the accident could have been avoided. There are other situations, like a rear end truck accident where the condition of the braking capacity of the truck may be an important issue in a truck accident lawsuit.

Recently, trucking companies represented by insurance defense counsel have undertaken to put the tractor-trailer combination back in service as soon as possible and before injured victims have had a chance to hire Missouri truck accident lawyers to look at the vehicles and determine if the condition of the semi-truck played any role in the accident. It is critical that truck accident victims contact Sumner Law Group, LLC early on after a serious truck accident.

How Long Does It Take A Semi Truck To Stop?

Because a big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the consequences of a crash with one of these big monsters can be significant. In fact, most of the semi truck wrecks that occur with passenger cars result in very serious injuries on the part of the passengers in the car.

When you add highway speeds and even speeding trucks coupled with the weight of the 18-wheeler, the physics of a crash are astonishing. Because of the high incidence of serious injury and even wrongful death claims because of a truck crash, commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are required to have commercial policies for their drivers and vehicles. So how long does it take to stop a big rig?

At highway speeds, it usually takes approximately one-third longer for a tractor-trailer to come to a complete stop then it would take a passenger car. This makes the safety cushion or assured clear distance extremely important for a truck driver to maintain. The actual stopping distance depends on a number of factors, such as the roadway material, the weight of the truck as loaded and the condition of the brakes.

Because it takes a trucker so much longer to stop, they are required to maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

If you or loved one has been seriously injured in a Missouri truck accident, contact the big truck crash lawyers at Sumner Law Group, LLC at 314-500 HELP for a free, no obligation consultation.