Important Facts about Big Trucks

Although trucks share roadways with passenger vehicles, they’re very different in many important ways. The most obvious difference the sheer size comparison of cars and semi-trucks. In most cases, big trucks are not only several times larger than cars, but in the case of car-carriers, they may actually haul a dozen or more passenger vehicles at any given time.

Understanding the differences between cars and trucks is vital for all drivers, but especially important for anyone who has been injured in a truck accident. The legal process for filing claims for compensation after truck accidents is complicated and requires a unique understanding of these differences.

Interesting Big Truck Facts

Some of the most startling and eye-opening facts about big trucks include:

• Truck engines are 6x bigger than car engines and have 1-2 thousand ft/lbs of torque.

In order to haul heavy cargo and trailers full of consumer goods, trucks need huge engines. Most truck engines have physical dimensions that make them a full six-times larger than the engines found in standard passenger vehicles. In addition, truck engines feature between 400 and 600 horsepower and 1,000 to 2,000 ft. lb. of torque, while standard passenger vehicle engines have between 100 and 200 horsepower and 100 to 200 ft. lb. of torque.

• Truck engines are designed to run non-stop and for 1 million miles.

While standard passenger vehicles are often considered to be “getting up there” in age around the 100,000 mile mark, truck engines can last for 1 million miles and beyond. In addition, truck engines are also designed to run nearly non-stop. In fact, many trucks with tandem driving duos and sleeping quarters do run non-stop. That fact, along with the demands of the trucking industry, means that trucks can accumulate 50,000 miles in a single month.

• Trucks are 70 to 80 feet long, 13.5 feet tall, and up to 8.5 feet wide.

With a trailer attached, trucks can be the length of one-quarter of football field. And at 13.5 feet high, trucks are 3.5 feet taller than basketball hoops, or roughly the size of a hoop including the backboard. And at 8.5 feet wide, many trucks are wider than the total length of some compact cars. The sheer size differences between big trucks and standard passenger vehicles makes them especially dangerous during accidents.

• Trucks require 40% more space to stop.

Modern vehicles have braking systems that allow them to stop relatively quickly to avoid accidents and sudden movements from other drivers, but trucks require significantly more space to slow down and come to a complete stop. Drivers should always be aware of the increased stopping distance by giving truck drivers plenty of room, while truck drivers must anticipate their stops ahead of time to avoid rear-ending other vehicles.

Filing a successful claim for compensation after a truck accident requires a deep understanding of the trucking industry and all of the parties that can be involved in a truck accident, including the driver, truck company, truck owner, truck broker, and more.

Our Tullahoma truck accident lawyers are familiar with the ins-and-outs of the industry in Tennessee, and we know what it takes to get our clients the money they deserve.

If you were injured in a truck accident, contact our law firm. At Matt Hardin Law, our Tullahoma truck accident attorneys have handled countless truck accident claims, and we can put our experience to work for you and your family. Contact us today by dialing filling out a free online form. We’ll fight for your rights to get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.