Many of the worst semi-truck collisions occur on interstates or highways. Commercial drivers can lose control and may end up blocking multiple lanes of traffic or striking numerous vehicles in a matter of seconds. Some people think of busy urban roads when they think of semi-truck crashes. Tighter intersections and greater overall traffic density can lead to severe collisions.
However, serious semi-truck collisions actually occur on rural roads rather than on interstates or urban streets. There are unique issues that contribute to semi-truck collisions on rural roads and that make them particularly dangerous, including the following.
Higher speeds
Commercial drivers operating large trucks choose rural roads for a reason. They need to maintain high speeds and want to stop as little as possible. Bypassing urban roads with lower speed limits in favor of faster rural roads can be a smart decision. Unfortunately, truck drivers may not adhere to the speed limit on rural roads. They might drive far over the limit, treating the rural road as though it were a highway. Increased speed often leads to far more severe collisions when crashes do occur.
Lack of nearby infrastructure
Most rural roads don’t have lighting or large shoulders. They may take travelers miles from the nearest medical facility or police department. There may not be any businesses or homes nearby, meaning there aren’t people available to provide support in the aftermath of a collision. Semi-truck crashes can be particularly dangerous due to the lack of infrastructure. Lighting issues may contribute to crash risk. When collisions do occur, drivers may have to wait far longer to receive care from medical professionals and support from police officers.
Unsafe habits
Many people feel like they can break traffic laws with impunity on rural roads. They choose rural roads if they drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They engage in risky maneuvers, such as passing a turning vehicle on the shoulder. They may interact with devices instead of focusing on traffic safety because they assume they won’t encounter police officers. Commercial drivers are as susceptible to becoming complacent on rural roads as anyone else. If they don’t pay careful attention to their surroundings, they could cause tragic, preventable wrecks.
Animal activity, deferred road maintenance due to lower traffic levels and a host of other issues can also contribute to the risk of a semi-truck crash on rural roads or lead to far worse outcomes when collisions do occur. Motorists and others affected by rural semi-truck collisions may need help pursuing justice. Reviewing a situation at length with a skilled legal team can help affected parties determine who is liable and what options they may have for seeking compensation after a crash.
