When you picture a truck accident, you probably imagine a crash on a busy interstate highway. While those are the most common crashes, some of the deadlier accidents occur in parking lots at truck stops across the country. But how could this happen and what exactly is this unexpected cause of truck stop accidents?
Pedestrian Crashes
Every so often, a pedestrian (sometimes a fellow truck driver) is struck and killed in a rest stop parking lot. This often occurs because the at-fault truck driver failed to ensure the area around their vehicle was safe before pulling forward or backing into a space. While there is no excuse for this negligence, it is partially to do with a misunderstanding of the no-zone, the area of zero visibility around the truck.
Trucks are wide and the driver sits high off the ground. This means drivers can’t see anything 20ft in front of their vehicle, 30ft behind their vehicle, or anything to their immediate left or right. Therefore, in low-maneuverability situations (like a truck stop) the driver must take care to ensure the area is clear of hazards and that nearby pedestrians know of their intentions before moving from a space.
In some cases, these crashes occur because of driver inexperience. Truck stops are designed to save space by lining trucks into neat rows. That can sometimes mean backing into a narrow space while maneuvering a trailer. The anxiety around this situation, combined with the low margin for error and poor visibility, is a recipe for disaster. As a result, trucks sometimes either strike another vehicle, a support beam, or even a pedestrian.
Fatal Impact
Even at low speeds, these truck stop accidents often have a fatal impact. Because trucks are so large, it takes an enormous amount of force to move the truck at all. That means a 10mph crash at a truck stop can cause almost 30x more damage than a parking lot crash with a sedan or SUV. That, in turn, is almost certain to result in broken bones, a head injury, internal injuries, or even death.
When these crashes happen, it’s important that the injured and their famalies pursue the damages they need to recover, especially if they were injured through no fault of their own. If you or someone you love has been injured and need help moving forward, our team is here to help. To discuss your case with an experienced Shreveport truck accident attorney from Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, don’t hesitate to send us an email or call (318) 221-1508 today.
