What Everyone Should Know About Head-On Truck Crashes
Without a doubt, head-on collisions involving heavy trucks are often devastating. You might think that head-on truck crashes rarely happen. If you think that, you’d be wrong! Unfortunately, head-on crashes involving heavy trucks HAPPEN ALL THE TIME! Just check out these statistics.
Truck drivers and car drivers alike are human. And, ALL drivers make mistakes. The problem with large truck accidents is that the weight and speed of the truck make the damages to smaller vehicles much more disastrous than in car on car collisions.
Recently, Virginia and West Virginia have seen several head-on heavy truck related accidents with devastating results.
February 21, 2020 — Residents of Middletown, Virginia, were traveling on Interstate 75 in Moraine, Ohio, when their vehicle was struck head-on by a semi truck. Reports indicate that the tractor trailer crossed the median and struck the vehicle head-on. Three Middletown residents were killed in this collision.
January 15, 2020 — Residents of Virginia as well as North Carolina were killed when a tractor trailer crossed the median on Interstate 81 and struck several vehicles head-on. Here again, the tractor trailer driver crossed the median and hit vehicles traveling in the opposite direction head-on. This accident happened in Rockingham County, Virginia.
November 5, 2019 — A heavy pick-up truck collided head-on with a sedan in Hanover County, which killed two people.
February 19, 2019 — A dump truck collided head-on with a sedan in Barbour County, West Virginia. Reports indicate that this accident killed two people.
One of the scariest things about head-on collisions with trucks is that they are unpredictable. How can you avoid being involved in an accident with a large truck? Sometimes it’s unavoidable. But, because education often equals prevention when it comes to avoiding accidents, here are some important safety factors to consider:
1. Be aware of high risk areas and situations. Two of the four accidents described above happened on roads with only a center line separating traffic. While that doesn’t necessarily mean that these roads are always unsafe, it does mean that when you are traveling a long, straight stretch of roadway, you might be more likely to encounter a truck crossing into your lane. So, when you’re traveling on those types of roads, USE EXTRA CAUTION! For instance, never pass on a double, solid yellow line and, then, only pass when you’re sure there is no traffic coming. Also, be especially aware of traveling on these roads late at night or early in the morning as you have a greater chance of encountering a fatigued or impaired driver. See our article on crossing a double, solid line here.
2. Be aware of blind spots. Collisions between a car and truck traveling in the same direction can sometimes lead to a head-on collision with another vehicle. Whenever you are traveling close to a large truck on the highway, BE CAREFUL OF ITS BLIND SPOTS! A semi-truck has blind spots on all four of its sides, with the largest blind spot on its passenger side. The passenger side blind spot is two lanes wide and extends the whole length of the truck. It’s important to NEVER pass a truck on its right side and move out of blind spots as soon as you can.
3. Don’t drive distracted, tired or impaired. While you might think this tip is common sense, you’d be surprised at how many driver’s do not heed this advice. We all know it’s important NEVER to text and drive or drink and drive. It’s equally important that you don’t get behind the wheel if you haven’t had proper rest or if you’ve been taking medications that make you drowsy. See our article on drowsy driving here.
4. Be prepared. At times, certain road conditions can lead to head-on collisions. Having sunglasses at the ready to protect against road glare, keeping your windshield clean, and making certain your headlights are functioning properly may help you avoid a dangerous situation.
Head-On Truck Collisions Shouldn’t Happen. . . But They Do
While head-on truck collisions should NEVER happen . . . they DO happen. And, they actually occur more frequently than we might think.
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a large truck or tractor trailer, you might be contacted by the trucking company’s insurance representative very quickly. Sometimes, insurance companies will try to call you as soon as the day after the accident. Before you talk to any insurance company, you should get the advice of an experienced truck accident lawyer. Most lawyers will give you a free consultation to talk about what you might be entitled to receive. At the Ritchie Law Firm, you can talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer for free . . . NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!
Whether the insurance company contacts you quickly or not, the faster you seek legal advice from a lawyer who knows truck accidents, the better. With a tractor trailer crash, prompt investigation is critical to successfully recovering money damages in your case. Because accidents involving tractor trailers are devastating, making sure that things like skid mark measurements and impact marks are preserved are often essential to a good recovery.
Experienced Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers
The five lawyers at the Ritchie Law Firm have more 145 years of combined experienced handling truck accident cases. See our tractor trailer accident Case Results here. Throughout the nearly half century history of the Ritchie Law Firm, our lawyers have handled thousands of devastating crash cases involving serious and complex injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, multiple bone fractures, and even death.
You should not have to bear the financial burden of a wreck that was caused by a negligent truck driver. Accidents involving tractor trailers are devastating. At the Ritchie Law Firm, we can help you hold the other driver accountable and help you get the compensation you need to pay your bills and recover.
Talk with a Virginia and West Virginia Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered significant injuries in a truck or tractor trailer accident in Virginia, Ritchie Law Firm is here to help. The experienced, certified attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm has helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. Contact us by phone at 800-277-6124 or by using our online contact form.
Ritchie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV.
