What Makes Utah Trucking Accidents So Dangerous?

According to the National Safety Council, over 5,000 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2019. The fact is, Utah trucking accidents can be incredibly dangerous – and unfortunately, sometimes fatal. Why is that? Here are some of the key reasons why truck accidents are so likely to lead to injury and death.

Utah Trucking Accidents – Why Are They So Dangerous?

There are many reasons why large commercial trucks pose such a risk to passenger cars, including:

1. Trucks are longer and taller than passenger cars.

One major contributing factor to the danger posed by trucks is their length and height. An 18-wheeler can be 80 feet long, compared to passenger vehicles 10-20 feet in length. Trucks are so long that when they get in an accident, they can hit multiple vehicles at the same time. And their height puts them above most passenger vehicles. In an accident, that can mean the truck travels over the top of the car, shearing it off.

2. Trucks can weigh 40 tons.

An 18-wheeler weighs 40 tons – that’s 80,000 pounds. In comparison, a passenger car often weighs 5,000 pounds. That is a massive difference in weight. The vast majority of the force generated in an accident between a commercial truck and a car will wind up in the car and its passengers. The more force, the more likely injuries or death will occur.

When it comes to Utah trucking accidents, cars are always on the losing end. And it’s the people in those cars who wind up with catastrophic injuries and/or fatalities.

3. Trucks are often carrying cargo.

Commercial trucks big and heavy. They need to be to carry cargo. That cargo can be hazardous in its own way to passenger cars. It might be flammable, explosive, toxic, or just really heavy. In an accident, that cargo can come free of the truck and hit other cars on the road. There have been plenty of people injured and killed by truck cargo that were never hit by the truck carrying it.

Because trucks are carrying cargo, they can be more likely to roll over in an accident. A truck that rolls over a passenger car can also be deadly.

Representing Those Injured in Utah Trucking Accidents

Our law firm is known for representing victims injured in Utah trucking accidents. We understand state laws and we know when injury victims have a case. All we need to do is hear your story to determine if you should pursue legal action. That’s why we encourage you to get in touch with our team.

If you or someone you care for was seriously injured in a trucking accident in Utah, please contact us. Call us now at (801) 521-4145 or fill out our secure online contact form to speak to one of our attorneys. We are standing by to answer your questions.