Anyone who has had the experience of driving on a busy highway when a massive semi-truck drives by knows how intimidating it can be to share the road with commercial trucks. Truck accidents cause extensive property damage and devastating, often fatal, injuries. However, busy highways are not the only places where catastrophic truck accidents can occur.
People do not usually expect to see a large commercial truck in a residential area. However, there are times when truck drivers need to travel within residential streets, which can pose a range of safety hazards to those living in the area.
Semi-trucks are massive vehicles, particularly when you compare them to the average passenger vehicle. While the average passenger vehicle is between 10 and 14 feet long and weighs roughly 5,000 pounds, the average semi-truck can be as long as 70 feet and weighs approximately 80,000. Semi-trucks also sit much higher off the ground than the typical passenger vehicles, which means that a car can easily end up getting stuck underneath the truck in the event of a collision. Unfortunately, if a passenger vehicle is involved in a truck accident, it is the passenger in the car that tends to suffer the most devastating, often fatal injuries.
While it is not a common occurrence to see a large semi-truck driving through a quiet, residential area, it does happen. For example, large trucks are used to deliver furniture or other large items, like appliances. If you are moving, you will likely hire a moving company that uses large trucks to transport all of the contents of your home. Other times, large trucks must travel through residential neighborhoods if there are road closures and the truck drivers are simply following the detour signs. Whatever the reason, these massive vehicles can cause a range of problems, from minor inconveniences like blocking a driveway to legitimate safety concerns. The following are examples of some of the serious safety hazards that large trucks can cause on residential streets:
- Increase the risk of serious truck accidents. Large semi-trucks are so massive in size that they can obscure visibility and make it difficult for smaller passenger vehicles to pass safely. Semi-trucks also make extremely wide turns, and if the truck driver misjudges the turn, or fails to use their signals properly, the truck could hit another vehicle that is in the truck’s vicinity. Finally, semi-trucks have very large blind spots, so if another car tries to pass the truck and the truck driver does not see the vehicle, this can have devastating consequences. One of the most tragic truck accidents that can occur in a residential area is if a pedestrian is crossing the street while a truck is backing up, turning, or not paying attention.
- Stopped or parked trucks can be hazardous. If a large truck is parked on the side of the road and there are no reflective devices on the outside of the truck, a motorist who cannot see the truck in the dark can slam into the truck head on or even slide under the truck.
- Disrupt the flow of traffic. If the residential area is near shops, restaurants, and other businesses, a large semi-truck can have a negative impact on the flow of traffic, particularly during rush hour. For example, if a truck driver is making a delivery and has to navigate a sharp turn onto a residential street, this can disrupt the flow of traffic. This can be particularly dangerous if other motorists attempt to pass the tuck as it is making the turn. If traffic is at a standstill, this can make it very difficult for emergency responders, like police, ambulances, and fire trucks, to arrive at the scene quickly.
- Residential roads may not be suitable for large trucks. The more remote and rural the area, the more likely it is that the roads may be dirt or gravel. This can cause reduced traction, which can make it very difficult for truck drivers to slow down or come to a complete stop in time to avoid an accident. Rural roads are often narrower and have sharp curves, which are more difficult to navigate, particularly when behind the wheel of a semi-truck.
- Bridges and overpasses can be dangerous for trucks. Some residential neighborhoods have bridges that may be old or that may have a weight limit that cannot withstand an 80,000-pound truck. Depending on the height of the truck and the clearance of the overpass, the truck could hit the overpass and become stuck if the truck driver misjudges the clearance when approaching the bridge. In addition, if a truck is involved in an accident, or the truck driver needs to pull over for some reason, bridges and overpasses generally have little to no shoulder or space.
How Can a Truck Accident Be Avoided?
When it comes to truck accidents, most motorists probably think about a devastating high-speed collision that occurs on a busy highway. However, truck accidents can also occur in quiet, residential areas as well. In fact, some of the deadliest accidents involving semi-trucks can happen when the truck is not even moving. If an 18-wheeler is parked on the side of the road in a quiet neighborhood, this can pose a serious safety hazard to other motorists, particularly when it is dark outside. Unless it is a necessary traffic stop, truck drivers are required to take steps to warn other motorists.
Truck drivers must turn their hazard lights on immediately if they are going to pull over or stop the truck. They must keep the hazard lights on until other warning devices are in place. While the truck driver is putting away the other devices, they must turn the hazard lights back, or keep them on the entire time.
All semi-trucks must be equipped with three emergency reflective triangles that can be seen from either side, or three to six road flares, depending on the type of flare that is being used. These must be placed on the road as soon as possible or within a minimum of 10 minutes.
One flare must be placed on the side of the truck approximately 10 feet from the truck and in the direction of oncoming traffic. A second triangle should be placed in the center of the traffic lane approximately 100 feet from the truck in the direction of oncoming traffic. The third triangle should be placed in the center of the lane or shoulder where the truck is parked, roughly 100 feet away from the truck and in the direction of oncoming traffic.
There are some exceptions to the above regulations. For example, warning devices are not required if the truck is stopped in a business or residential area unless headlights are needed or the truck is difficult to see from a distance of 500 feet due to poor lighting. If truck drivers fail to follow regulations and cause an accident, the injured party may be able to file a suit for damages.
Cincinnati Truck Accident Lawyers at the Wolterman Law Office Offer Sound Legal Advice to Those Injured in Residential Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a truck accident that occurred in a residential area, do not hesitate to contact one of our skilled Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at the Wolterman Law Office. Our skilled legal team will investigate the details of the accident, determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and assist you with every step of the legal process. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 513-488-1135 or contact us online. We will protect your rights and help you reach the best outcome possible. We are located in Loveland, Ohio, and we proudly serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park.