Semiochophobia, the fear of semi-trucks, or "18-wheelers", is an uncommon yet serious phobia that affects people in different ways, often influencing their daily lives and interactions. It can cause drivers and passengers to feel panic, terror, and anxiety when near or seeing them on the road. Similar to "ochophobia" (the fear of vehicles), this phobia can also cause avoidance behavior, making it challenging for individuals to travel on highways or near trucking routes. Though not an officially recognized phobia, many drivers have reported these overwhelming feelings of fear [...]
Truck accidents can be devastating, resulting in injuries, vehicle damages, and death. We look at reasons trucking collisions occur and identify what is the most accident-prone type of truck. Common Trucks Involved in Accidents Truck accidents are frequent. Among the vehicles in the commercial class that have the most accidents are tractor-trailers or what are called semi-trucks. A semi-truck is short for semi-trailer truck, which is a truck with a trailer box with a rear axle but no front axle. The truck pulling in some areas in the [...]
When shopping for a used car, you can look up that car’s accident history. That helps you make an informed decision about buying that particular vehicle. In the aftermath of a trucking accident, you can also look up the motor carrier’s accident history of the big rig and the driver. That information can be a crucial part of an insurance claim. It can help prove liability where there is a history of negligence. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has the following specific requirements for accident record [...]
Have you ever driven behind a semi-rig or overloaded pickup truck and thought, “That doesn’t look safe?” You are right to be concerned. The last time the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied the topic of accidents caused by cargo or debris falling from trucks, they found that in one year, this factor caused 25,000 crashes, resulting in 90 deaths. Even though these could be classified as “unintended accidents,” a truck driver and trucking company could be held liable if that accident-causing debris can be attributed to them. [...]
Everyone has a kind of “internal clock” that regulates our waking and sleeping patterns. These are referred to as circadian rhythms. When there is a dip in the circadian rhythm, we get drowsy. Ideally, that should happen when we are getting ready for bed, but it can also occur when we are behind the wheel of our cars. This can be an especially risky condition for truck drivers who drive at all hours of the day and night. The issue of how much sleep a truck driver should [...]
Trucking accidents are often catastrophic events that can lead to severe injuries for all parties involved. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported nearly 500,000 large truck accidents in the US in 2021 alone, 110,000 of which included injuries. These incidents not only cause physical harm but can also result in serious emotional and financial struggles for victims and their families. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck in Washington, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, there are many steps to take following a truck [...]
A recent semi-truck spill resulted in dozens of metal pipes falling off a rig and backed up traffic for 30 miles, according to the news site BakersfieldNow.com. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident, but that isn't always the case with crashes like these. There could be many reasons why an 18-wheeler accident occurs. When investigating this type of collision, it is important to find out who is responsible for correctly loading the cargo into a tractor-trailer. Cargo Load Liability When unsecured cargo is a factor in [...]
A car’s suspension system is designed to mitigate the forces of an impact on an automobile when it drives on a road. That is why they are called “shock absorbers.” In an impact, a car’s bumpers and airbags also absorb a certain amount of the force in a collision. However, if that collision is between a truck and a car, the weight disparity spells disaster for the car. That is one of the many reasons why the average vehicle is more at risk during a large truck collision. [...]
Logging consistently ranks among the most hazardous jobs in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That danger extends to the transportation segment of that industry. Many factors make logging trucks so dangerous. Understanding those factors could help you avoid an accident on the road. Common Reasons for Logging Truck Crashes The weight limit for a logging truck is similar to other trucks. That restriction is for forty tons or 80,000 pounds of logs. A fully loaded logging truck is at a greater risk [...]
Driving assistance technologies are becoming increasingly standard in new models of vehicles. Considering that 42,514 motorists lost their lives in car crashes in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is easy to understand the need for those warning alerts. Unfortunately, even with the driving alerts, accidents still happen, especially with a semi-truck that suddenly loses control when switching lanes or making a turn. You need to perform many tasks after getting involved in an accident with a big rig. However, one thing you [...]
