Why Proper Following Distance Is Crucial for Commercial Vehicle Safety
Virginia has its fair share of commercial vehicle traffic. With a vibrant port and key freight corridors in our state, commercial vehicles are a common sight on local roadways. To operate these big rigs safely, truck drivers must obey the rules of the road and drive in specific ways.
Maintaining a safe following distance is one of the most straightforward rules of the road. This is particularly true for commercial drivers operating large trucks that are much heavier than passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, the proper following distance guidelines are easy to ignore when a commercial vehicle driver is in a hurry or fatigued. This can lead to devastating consequences for other drivers in Virginia.
The Charlottesville truck accident lawyers at Kendall Law Firm understand the importance of maintaining a proper distance between commercial vehicles and the vehicles near them on the road. All too often, we have seen the consequences of a careless truck driver’s failure to adhere to the required vehicle safety distance.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a commercial driver who failed to maintain a safe distance, contact our Virginia office today for a free consultation.
How Kendall Law Firm Helps Victims of Improper Following Distance Truck Accidents
Driving commercial motor vehicles is much different than driving a passenger vehicle. The size and weight of commercial trucks make maneuvering more technical and challenging. Safe braking is particularly difficult because a commercial truck’s braking system operates differently and takes longer to engage than the hydraulic brakes often used in passenger cars. Truck following distance for commercial vehicle rules account for these differences to protect everyone on local roadways.
When a commercial driver fails to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of them, the result can be a catastrophic accident that alters the lives of everyone involved, especially those in smaller passenger vehicles. At Kendall Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys have over 30 years of combined legal experience and focus solely on personal injury cases. That means we have the skill and resources to protect truck accident victims and help them pursue the compensation they deserve. We can:
- Investigate the cause of the truck accident
- Collect and preserve evidence that shows the proper following distance was not maintained
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Manage communication between you and all parties involved
- Calculate the value of your claim
- Aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation
- Prepare a case for court when necessary
Testimonials from former clients help prove our commitment to helping vulnerable accident victims recover physically and financially from the aftermath of a truck or car accident. One client from Charlottesville says, “I highly recommend the Kendall Law Firm to anyone who has been hurt in an accident. My attorney was very helpful throughout the process. He was accessible and easy to talk to, and he fought hard to make sure the insurance company paid me for my injuries.”
Why Proper Following Distance Matters for Commercial Vehicle Safety
What is the minimum following distance for commercial vehicles? Big rigs, especially those that are fully loaded, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. It takes more distance and time for these larger vehicles to slow down and come to a complete stop. Safe following distance refers to the space required to bring a vehicle to a safe stop without causing an accident or hitting other cars. The three-second gap rule is a good rule of thumb for cars and other small vehicles, but truck drivers should generally give themselves a four- to six-second buffer between their truck and the lead vehicle.
Proper following distance is crucial for commercial safety because when a truck driver fails to maintain sufficient space, sudden stops, traffic hazards, emergency situations, or even a minor distraction can lead to catastrophic rear-end collisions and multi-vehicle crashes.
Why Commercial Trucks Require More Space to Stop Safely
The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks necessitate significantly more additional space and time to come to a complete stop safely. It takes more time and force to slow down a rapidly moving, heavy vehicle than it does to stop a smaller, lighter-weight one safely. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration suggests that a typical tractor-trailer, loaded and traveling at 55 miles per hour in ideal road conditions, can take as many as 196 feet to come to a complete stop. In a standard passenger vehicle, that stopping distance is only 133 feet.
Commercial truck braking systems also take longer to engage. Air brake systems used in commercial vehicles experience a phenomenon called “brake lag.” Compressed air takes time to travel through hoses and then activate the brake chambers. Drivers typically start engaging brakes and slowing down earlier to account for brake lag. In an emergency situation or when traffic patterns suddenly change, following distance rules helps make up for not being able to brake earlier.
What Happens When Truck Drivers Follow Too Closely?
Drivers who fail to maintain a proper following distance typically don’t have the time or space to stop their truck, leading them to collide with nearby vehicles. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash that occurs due to carelessly following too closely. While most people consider rear-end crashes to be nothing more than “fender benders,” a rear-end accident involving a commercial vehicle and smaller passenger cars can be fatal.
Drivers who fail to maintain a proper following and braking distance are also more likely to slam on their brakes suddenly, which can cause them to lose control of their vehicle. Sudden braking in commercial trucks in adverse weather conditions or on inclines can result in jackknifing or rollover accidents. People in cars caught in the path of a jackknife or rollover can suffer life-threatening injuries and massive damage to their vehicles. These accidents can also lead to pileups, cargo spills, and secondary incidents.
Call Kendall Law Firm — Your Charlottesville Truck Accident Lawyer
At Kendall Law Firm, our Charlottesville truck accident lawyers help victims of commercial truck accidents pursue maximum compensation for their injuries. We understand how to compile an evidence-based case that demonstrates how the actions of the commercial driver, including following too closely, resulted in the accident and caused your injuries.
Contact our office now to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident attorneys.