Large truck has rear-ended a car. | Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi

Why Are Rear-End Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Rear-end truck collisions are particularly dangerous due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. Traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of death around the world, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the most dangerous accidents tend to be those that involve heavy trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, semis, and big rigs.

These accidents result in tens of thousands of injuries and thousands of deaths each year in the U.S., according to the National Safety Council (NSC). In an instant, a truck accident can turn the life of another driver on the road upside down, resulting in significant economic and non-economic damages.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a rear-end truck collision, we encourage you to get in touch with the truck accident lawyers at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi today. Call us at (201) 585-9111 for a FREE case review. We serve clients in Fort Lee and throughout New Jersey and New York.

What Is the Main Cause of Most Rear-End Truck Crashes?

One of the most unfortunate realities of rear-end truck collisions is that most of them are avoidable. According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), when fault for an accident was assigned to the truck, driver error was the cause 87% of the time.

Driver errors take a few different forms, including:

Decision (38% of crashes): This includes making an intentional decision that results in an accident, such as speeding, tailgating, or engaging in other dangerous behaviors.
Recognition (28% of crashes): Recognition errors are essentially the same as distracted driving, though they also include a general lack of awareness. With the additional stopping distance needed for large trucks, awareness is very critical to avoiding catastrophic rear-end truck collisions.
Non-performance (12% of crashes): These errors include falling asleep at the wheel as well as emergency medical situations, such as a heart attack.
Performance (9% of crashes): Performance errors refer to poor control over the vehicle, such as overcompensating or slow reaction.

Compared to vehicle malfunctions (10% of crashes) and environmental causes (2% of crashes), human errors are clearly the cause of the vast majority of truck accidents, including rear-end collisions, and are almost entirely avoidable.

What Makes a Rear-End Truck Collision So Dangerous?

Fully loaded 18-wheelers can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds if the truck is not illegally overloaded. This amount of weight, combined with high speeds, can create tremendous velocity and force.

This already dangerous situation can be made worse if the truck is carrying flammable or toxic materials, which can lead to chemical exposure, fires, and explosions.

Where Is the Greatest Risk for a Rear-End Collision with a Truck?

The greatest risks for read-end collisions are areas and situations where frequent stops are required. These include:

Work zones
Merging areas on highways
Poor weather conditions
Stop-and-go traffic
And more

These conditions can quickly result in surprising situations—or, in the case of stop-and-go traffic, easy distraction and frustration—that can pose a danger for all drivers on the road.

What Injuries Are Most Commonly Associated with Rear-End Truck Collisions?

Because of the force at play in rear-end truck collisions, injuries can be very traumatic, if not fatal. While the list of potential injuries is long, some of the common ones associated with rear-end collisions in particular include:

While our hope is always that injuries fully heal, these injuries can lead to long-term, expensive treatment. Accident victims do not always fully recover as they face lifelong physical or mental challenges as a result of an accident. Sadly, this can impact a person’s health and well-being, relationships, ability to work, and overall enjoyment of life.

Who Is At Fault in a Rear-End Collision With a Truck?

Several parties can bear responsibility for a truck accident. While the driver is most commonly seen as the negligent party, there are cases where the driver’s employer, the trucking company, or another entity, such as a parts manufacturer, is partially or wholly responsible for an accident.

For example, truck drivers are subject to strict hours-of-service regulations, which the FMCSA defines on a national level. These regulations dictate how long drivers are allowed to stay on the road and how long their breaks must be between shifts.

These regulations are important for keeping drivers from “pushing the limit” and running the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. However, trucking companies sometimes push their drivers to go beyond these limits.

If we can prove that this type of profit-motivated decision led to a driver’s fatigue and a subsequent rear-end collision, the trucking company may ultimately be liable for the damages caused by the accident.

What Happens If I Rear-End A Large Truck?

While being rear-ended by a truck is clearly very dangerous, rear-ending a truck can also pose unique dangers, particularly in “underride” crashes where a passenger vehicle slides underneath a large truck.

While the driver who rear-ends the truck may be presumed responsible for the accident, there are situations where the truck driver or another party could still be held liable. For example, if the truck’s brake lights malfunction because the company responsible for regular maintenance failed to appropriately test the lights—or fix lights that were burnt out or broken—then that company may be held liable for the rear-end collision.

Ultimately, who is responsible depends on the specifics of your situation, which is why you should always consult with an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible if you have been involved in a truck accident.

When Should I Consult A Fort Lee Truck Accident Lawyer?

“As soon as possible” is the advice we give accident victims. There are a few key reasons for this advice:

Evidence can easily and quickly be lost.
Witnesses can become harder to find.
The other parties’ insurance companies are already looking for ways to deny or challenge your claim.
Care and intention must be used when communicating with insurance companies.
Time limits, known as statutes of limitations, define how long you can bring legal action after an accident (typically 2 years in New Jersey).

The good news is that once you choose a lawyer to work on your claim, you can focus on what matters most—the health and well-being of you and your family—while we worry about your claim.

Contact Maggiano, Digirolamo & Lizzi Today

Rear-end truck collisions and the aftermath can be devastating and overwhelming. If you have been involved in a rear-end collision with a large truck, we are here to help.

The truck accident attorneys at Maggiano, Digirolamo & Lizzi are courageous, passionate advocates for injured accident victims. When someone’s negligence leads to injuries and damages, we believe they must be held accountable.

However, doing so is not simple, especially with truck accidents. It requires conducting a thorough investigation, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and much more. We will make sure all of this is handled with the attention and integrity it deserves so you can obtain the justice you deserve. Contact us today for your FREE case review.