Sharing the road with massive commercial trucks can be intimidating, and for good reason. While any collision with a truck can be serious, T-bone accidents involving trucks are particularly devastating.
These accidents, also known as broadside crashes, occur when a vehicle hits the side of a truck, forming a T-shape. Due to the unequal distribution of force and the vulnerability of a car’s side, T-bone trucking accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
Factors contributing to the severity of T-bone trucking accidents
A commercial truck weighs 20-30 times more than a passenger car. This immense difference in mass translates to a tremendous amount of force exerted on the smaller vehicle during a T-bone collision. The car’s crumple zones are designed to absorb impact in head-on or rear-end crashes. Unfortunately, they may offer minimal protection against the forceful impact of a truck’s side.
Passenger vehicles are designed to offer maximum protection from frontal and rear-end impacts. However, the sides of a car lack the same level of reinforcement. This means there’s less structure to absorb the impact in a T-bone crash, potentially leaving occupants directly exposed to the force of the collision.
The force of a T-bone collision can cause the truck to crush the car’s door inwards. This intrusion into the passenger compartment significantly increases the risk of serious injuries to occupants. Injuries can include broken bones, internal bleeding and organ damage.
The impact of a T-bone crash can cause the car to spin out of control. This can increase the chance of a rollover accident. Rollovers are especially dangerous as they can lead to multiple impacts and further complicate rescue efforts.
Depending on the angle of the collision, passengers on the side of the impact can be thrown directly into the path of the truck. This can lead to severe head injuries, spinal cord damage and even death.
T-bone trucking accidents are a serious concern on the roadways. By understanding the dangers involved and taking precautions accordingly, drivers can help reduce the risk of these devastating crashes. That said, passenger vehicle drivers who get involved in T-bone trucking accidents due to reckless truck drivers can benefit from personalized legal guidance. A reliable legal team can help in securing compensation for any injuries or fatalities sustained in the crash.