Victim of Semi Truck Accident?
Posted in Accidents, Truck Accidents on 17. Jul, 2009
Imagine this scenario:
It is the stuff you thought you would only experience in nightmares or watch on TV drama shows, the sight of an 18 wheeler barreling towards you. You barely have time to think or react, but miraculously you manage to maneuver your car out of the immediate path of the semi truck behemoth bearing down on you, but your car is still spun around, and ends up pinned between another car and the guardrail. A couple of other people are not so fortunate, as their cars are crushed under the weight of the tractor trailer when it tips over.
How could this happen? Even though you survived this semi truck accident, you still may have questions about how these types of truck accidents occur and if life will ever return to normal following such a horrific experience.
It is obvious that the size disparity between large trucks and passenger cars is one contributing factor in the outcome of these semi truck accidents. These are some more of the most common causes:
- Driver fatigue (anchor text for link to Driver Fatigue article) is among the top reasons, due to unfair and unrealistic schedules placed on truck drivers
- Driver error, including alcohol or drug abuse, and/or inadequate training for driving and maneuvering such big rigs
- Defective equipment, particularly brake failure
- Unsafe driving practices of passenger car operators (e.g., driving in the truck’s low or no vision zone, passing on the right while truck is turning right, pulling out in front of a truck, etc.)
You may have valid fear about the idea of ever getting in a car again, or travelling on a highway which is populated with semi trucks. If you do drive or ride in a car after your recovery, you may experience fear or anxiety/panic attacks any time a big rig passes near you or pulls up behind you at a toll booth.
Just remember you are not alone. Seek counsel from your medical or pastoral counselor, and/or join a local support group for crash survivors.
