Commercial vehicles are dangerous when their drivers fail to follow the safety rules. The simple truth is that vehicles that weigh over 10,000 lbs do not operate the same as our normal commuter cars or even large vehicles like an F250 or Suburban. They are slower to stop because they are heavier. They are more dangerous when they crash into other cars because they are so much larger and heavier. The vast majority of injury crashes with commercial vehicles results in civilians being hurt, not the commercial driver.
Commercial drivers should be trained to look as far ahead as possible, 12-15 seconds. They need to follow from a safe distance. They need to adjust to changing traffic conditions and anticipate foreseeable changes to conditions. We have all experienced dangerous tailgaters in traffic. When the tailgater is a vehicle over 10,000 lbs, the dangers can be catastrophic.
Truck wreck cases are often defended much more vigorously than typical car crashes. Different rules apply to commercial drivers because of the additional dangers they pose on the roadway.
Whether for distracted driving, drowsy driving, texting while driving, or just driving too aggressively, we have successfully prosecuted cases against numerous dangerous commercial vehicle drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, feel free to call us for a free consultation: (425) 322-1076.
