When you're driving down the freeway and a huge eighteen-wheeler truck comes near you, it's only natural to feel a little anxious. You are well aware that you are no match for this huge truck in terms of size and weight, and that, should there be a collision, you'd be the one to lose. In fact, it is true that in more than one out of ten fatalities caused by traffic accidents, a large commercial truck was involved. If you have been injured in an accident with an eighteen-wheeler, you need to speak to a Kansas City, Missouri eighteen-wheeler accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Stopping Distance
Because of its size and weight, it takes an eighteen-wheeler truck going 65 miles per hour up to six hundred feet to come to a complete stop. A car traveling at 65 miles per hour takes only about half of that distance to stop. Eighteen-wheeler trucks are also much longer than cars, which means that they have more blind spots. Both of these factors can contribute to accidents that cause serious injuries, especially in rainy or icy weather or if one of the drivers is distracted or speeding.
Jackknife Accidents
Staying in control of a vehicle as large as an eighteen-wheeler truck, especially when it has a load to carry, requires experience and skill on the part of the driver. If a load is not correctly balanced or if a braking pattern causes a loss of control, this can result in a jackknife accident in which the swivel joint connecting the trailer to the cab portion of the truck suddenly bends, causing the truck to jackknife.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation With a Kansas City, Missouri Eighteen Wheeler Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with an eighteen-wheeler, call to schedule a free consultation with a Kansas City, Missouri eighteen-wheeler accident lawyer today. The expert legal staff at the PK Law Group will thoroughly investigate your case to determine what may have led to the accident and to find all sources of compensation. Visit our web page atpklawgroup.com or give us a call at (816) 929-8777 and talk to one of our friendly staff. We serve Kansas City, Missouri, and surrounding areas and we are looking forward to serving you.